I can assure the Deputy that animal welfare is a high priority for my Department and considerable resources and funding are provided to organisations involved in rescuing and rehoming animals. In December 2021, I provided record funding of €3.7million to 98 animal welfare bodies throughout the country.
The Programme for Government includes an undertaking to provide additional funding in support of animal welfare again this year, to which I am fully committed.
Each year my Department invites organisations to submit a funding application. To qualify they must meet criteria specificed in the application process, for example, a successful applicant will be registered with the Charities' Regulator, be in existence for at least two years, and provide supporting accounts. I will announce the opening of this year's application process shortly and details will be available on my Department's website. Grants to successful applicants will be awarded before year end.