Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. It is important the matter is raised here in the Dáil and highlighted, particularly in advance of the budget. Since we came into office, the Government has doubled the funding. We are very much aware of the challenges many are facing, the important work they are doing and the need for us to support those charities at Government level as well as supporting public advocacy about the work involved in caring for an animal and deciding to have a pet. Members of the public can also make an important contribution by looking to rehome an animal where they want to bring a pet into their lives. We will be very cognisant of that in the budgetary negotiations and profiling budgets for next year. I am very cognisant of the pressure many of these charities are under, particularly in the last 18 months.

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