Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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214. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the threat to the future of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital, County Meath; the efforts he is making to ensure the future viability of this facility; if he is working with Meath County Council and other partners in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60958/21]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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While the Department does not normally provide funding for wildlife rehabilitation facilities, the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is considering an application for emergency support from such facilities due to the extraordinary circumstances arising from the COVID pandemic.

Any funding provided would be subject to a set of agreed criteria. The focus of any such funding will be the welfare of the animals and maintaining the habitats and holdings necessary to allow the animals properly rehabilitate for appropriate release back into the wild.

I also note that the rehabilitation facility in question receives funding and support from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications as well as the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.