Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1248. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to seek advice from his officials as to whether there are any suitable sites that they may be aware of under their remit that could possibly house this vital wildlife organisation, which continues to struggle to find a suitable site for its important work on the East coast (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1159/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides funding each year through the Animal Welfare Grants Programme to registered animal welfare charities for the care and welfare of animals. Animal welfare remains a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government and considerable funding is provided to support these organisations.

On the 7th December last year, I announced record funding of €6 million to 101 animal welfare charities nationwide through the Programme. This is the largest award of grant funding to animal welfare bodies ever made by my Department.

My Department does not provide land to or have sites available for welfare charities. However, my Department would be happy to consider an application from the organisation in question for funding within the parameters and criteria set out in the Animal Welfare Grants Programme. The application process for 2024 will open later this year.