Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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268. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if additional money will be allocated to animal rescue charities in budget 2024, given the unprecedented amount of surrenders they are dealing with at present and in the aftermath of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26799/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In December 2022, I announced the record allocation of over €5.8 million in funding to 99 animal welfare charities throughout the country, under the Animal Welfare Grants Programme. This figure exceeded the commitment in the Programme for Government to double the funding allocated within two years. This marks the largest award of grant funding to animal welfare bodies ever made by my Department.

Discussions related to funding allocations under Budget 2024 will take place within the normal budgetary processes. I will continue to strongly back the sector.