2026-02-12

4. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for a progress report on the capital grant funding provided to Dublin Zoo in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10737/26]

I want to ask about capital grant funding of €2.8 million that was given to Dublin Zoo by the OPW in 2025. That is part of a ten-year programme so there will be more funding in subsequent years. There is no scrutiny of Dublin Zoo. Who is going to monitor how this money is spent and what it is spent on? The zoo can also raise funds from the public through charity appeals and charging people at the gates. Wild Lights is an abomination that is very bad for animals. Who is going to monitor this money?

Dublin Zoo, along with Fota Wildlife Park, submitted proposals in 2021 seeking State support for ten-year capital development programmes. Following the Government's approval, the OPW provides capital grants to both organisations. These grants are funded through the OPW's annual Estimates. The funding is in recognition of the specific financial impact of Covid-19 and the need for continued investment in their infrastructure. In 2025, the OPW provided a capital grant of €2.8 million to Dublin Zoo to support a range of priority capital projects, aligned with Dublin Zoo's master plan for 2021 to 2031. The projects which received funding in 2025 included: refurbishment of the 130-year-old South American house; conservation works to the old cottage; infrastructure and sustainability improvements; upgrades to selected play areas; and enhanced education and visitor experience. All funding is paid in line with public governance standards, including the relevant circulars. The funding is reported in the annual accounts of the Zoological Society of Ireland. The OPW has no day-to-day involvement in the operation of Dublin Zoo.

That is my problem. It has been consistently raised on the floor of the Dáil that nobody is properly inspecting Dublin Zoo in an independent way. The Minister of State talked about the South American house and play areas. The director also had his house renovated during that Covid period while making appeals to the public for funds. My issue is animal welfare. There is a dog-fighter working as an elephant consultant in Dublin Zoo. The chimps are obese and agoraphobic. They are afraid to go outside and are pushed out for the public. They have nothing to do. It is extremely bad for animals to be in confined spaces. One former zookeeper who I met - there have been whistle-blowers about the zoo - told me they were sent to Smyth's Toys Superstore to buy a few toys to keep the chimps occupied. Some €100 was spent to buy a doll and stuff like that. The chimps are heavily medicated. An elephant report was sent to the Department of agriculture but there has been no response on the confinement of the elephants and the climate not being suitable. That is what the OPW is funding.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the OPW and Dublin Zoo in 2025. Payments are made only after the zoo submits its vouched invoices and its works are approved. This ensures compliance with the public grant rules. On the Deputy's last question, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, is responsible for the licensed inspection of the zoo and the oversight of an annual inspection of Dublin Zoo. Inspections are carried out by an independent multidisciplinary team with specialist expertise. Not a week goes by that the Deputy is not standing outside the zoo with a phone. Does she ever go in? Has she ever gone in to see the good work the zoo does and that the staff do? I visited the zoo on the basis of some of the things that have been said in this House. The workers in the zoo treat all the animals with the height of respect and dignity. The zoo is essential to the people of Dublin and Ireland. I work closely with my colleague beside me, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, and other Deputies in the House in relation to Phoenix Park. I have control over the work that goes on. Dublin Zoo is a place I visit on a regular basis and I cannot but praise the people in Dublin Zoo for the work they do.

Is the Minister of State a zoologist? A report was done recently by independent zoologists on Dublin Zoo. Elephants have half-----

It is probably the Deputy's report.

-----the lifespan-----

The Deputy is very good out there with her social media, shouting and roaring.

Minister-----

May I have extra time? The Minister of State is barracking me as I am speaking.

Keep going, Deputy.

It is unbelievable that he cannot sit and listen. I get little enough time to raise this topic. Elephants have half the lifespan in Dublin Zoo. Matriarchy and family are very important for elephants. These two sister elephants were split up. We should not be spending money sending children to zoos. Any money for conserving species and biodiversity would be better spent out in the wild where there are very good programmes under way, rather than diverting it to Victorian concepts like zoos. Many other issues with animals have been reported. The NPWS does not have zoology expertise. It is also very close in relations to the management of Dublin Zoo. The Minister of State should meet zoo keepers and give them more funding and more space and time to deal with the animals, but we really should be phasing out zoos.

Thank you, Deputy.

Okay. It was very difficult when I was being barracked by the Minister of State.

I allowed you another ten seconds for that. The Minister of State to reply.

I cannot believe the Deputy never mentioned the big cataract operation that was done in Dublin Zoo. It was all over the news all over the world. It was the first ever carried out. She did not mention the good work of the zoo. She continually comes in here and complains and says there is cruelty to the animals in Dublin Zoo. I asked her a question. Did she go into the zoo and meet the people or did she stand outside taking pictures and selfies and talking and complaining? She should go in and meet the staff and management to see the good work they do. The people love that zoo. It has hundreds of thousands of visitors every year and the Deputy is telling me that because one element she has centred on is wrong, everything is wrong in the zoo. The zoo is perfect in my eyes and I will continue to support it.