Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
2113. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will assist an organisation (details supplied) in County Tipperary that urgently requires emergency funding due to increased veterinary costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42599/22]
View answerAnimal welfare is a key priority for my Department and considerable resources and funding are provided to support animal welfare charities organisations involved in rescuing and rehoming animals through the Annual Welfare Grant Programme.
In December 2021, I awarded record funding of €3.7million to 98 animal welfare bodies throughout the country and the organisation in question received €48,500 towards its costs for 2022.
Since significant sums of taxpayers' money are involved and to ensure good governance and a level playing field for all animal welfare organisations seeking public funding, all applications for financial support are administered through the annual programme, where the same rigorous criteria are applied in assessing each application.
The 2022 call for grant applications was launched in June and applications, including that from the named organisation, are now being evaluated by my officials. Grants will be awarded before the end of the year.
