Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1195. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding allocated to ex gratia animal welfare grants in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52435/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The 2020 budget allocation available for awards of grants to animal welfare organisations was €2.435m. Savings elsewhere in the Department's vote contributed to the eventual awarding of €3.2 million to 101 organisations in December 2020.

A doubling of funding by 2022 will be on the basis of doubling the 2020 budget allocation, taking into account my Department's policy objectives and financial resources available.

In the call for applications this year and, in keeping with the policy direction outlined the new Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025, animal welfare bodies have been advised that the level of funding available and the disbursement method for 2021 will be determined taking account of new policy objectives.

Applicants have been advised that an emphasis on the ‘One Health, One Welfare’ approach and dissemination of education and knowledge to improve animal welfare will be taken into account for 2021 and going forward.

I will award this year's Animal Welfare Grants in December.