Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this Topical Issue matter. On behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, I acknowledge the fantastic effort and commitment of animal welfare organisations and the many volunteers dedicated to the care and welfare of canines, who often operate, as the Deputy said, in challenging and stressful circumstances. Animal welfare charities play a crucial role in helping animals in need, educating people and raising public awareness about improving animal welfare. In many cases, it is more than a job and a career; it is a vocation. The Government thanks all those in the sector for their tremendous efforts.

Animal welfare is increasingly important to people in Ireland and it a priority for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. We are ever more aware of the inter-relationship between the welfare of animals and human well-being. This is reflected in the publication of Ireland's first animal welfare strategy last year titled, Working Together for Animal Welfare: Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025. Protecting and enhancing animal welfare standards is the responsibility of everyone in our society, including those who own and care for animals.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's animal welfare grants programme, referred to by the Deputy, is a clear acknowledgement of the vital work of animal welfare charities. On animal welfare awareness day last December, record animal welfare grant funding of over €3.7 million to 29 animal welfare organisations was announced. Of this funding, €2.7 million, or more than two thirds, was awarded to 68 organisations that deal with the welfare and rehoming of dogs. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, intends to deliver on the programme for Government commitment to further increase the funding allocated via the grants programme in 2022. Further details of these awards will be announced next month.

Applications for annual funding from animal welfare organisations are assessed carefully and awards are made on the basis of objective criteria. I will ask the Minister to revert to the Deputy directly in respect of these criteria. They include the level and type of assistance provided by the organisation in the delivery of care and welfare services to animals and the level of funding raised by organisations from other sources to support welfare activities.

As with last year's awards, this year's funding will recognise the importance of education and the dissemination of knowledge to improve animal welfare. Imparting knowledge on animal welfare to society as a whole plays a crucial role in improving standards nationally and is particularly relevant for encouraging responsible pet ownership, which can help reduce the number of dogs abandoned or surrendered to charities. As with all applicants, the organisation in question was assessed under this robust process and criteria and, as the Deputy stated, it was awarded €48,500 last December to assist in funding the care and welfare of animals in 2022.

I will bring the points the Deputy raised in respect of veterinary bills and the approach of Christmas to the attention of the Minister. I also note that he wishes to know how the grants will be assessed. He also mentioned that 12 centres did not receive any increase in funding. I will raise those matters with the Minister.

The organisation in question is mainly involved with the care and rehoming of greyhounds. The Department provides dedicated financial support under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund to Rásaíocht Con Éireann, RCÉ, the statutory body responsible for the operation and regulation of the greyhound industry. Private greyhound rehoming organisations in Ireland may, through RCÉ's registered charity, the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust, seek assistance towards costs incurred in the preparation of greyhounds for rehoming. The organisation in question is urged to avail of this funding opportunity.

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