I welcome the launch of the Animal Welfare Grant Programme for Registered Animal Charities for 2022.
Animal welfare organisations that are registered with the Charities Regulator are invited to apply for funding before the deadline of July 1st, 2022.
I am delighted that applications are now open for the Animal Welfare Grant Programme for Registered Animal Charities for 2022.
This funding is crucial to supporting animal welfare organisations to continue their work protecting vulnerable animals nationwide. Last December, my Department announced €3.8 million in funding to 98 animal welfare charities in Ireland, including Laois SPCA, Offaly SPCA and the Irish Horse Rehoming Programme in Offaly. This was the largest-ever funding allocation to animal welfare charities in the history of the State and demonstrated the commitment of the Government to ensuring proper care for animals.
Both as a County Councillor and now as a Senator for Laois-Offaly, I have been fortunate enough to see the incredible work that many hard-working and dedicated volunteers do on the ground and I would encourage every eligible animal welfare organisation to apply for this grant programme, which will close for applications on July 1st, 2022.
Animal welfare is a priority for the Green Party, and we have always led on this issue. Since we entered Government in June 2022, we have:
Doubled annual levels of funding for animal welfare organisations.
Legislated a ban on fur farming.
Published Ireland’s first Animal Welfare Strategy.
Established an Animal Welfare Division in the Department of Agriculture.
Re-launched the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC).
Founded a new Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare.
Commissioned Ireland’s first annual equine census.
I will continue to work to implement the animal welfare commitments in the Programme for Government, and I look forward to engaging closely with animal welfare charities in Laois and Offaly to ensure that they have the supports that they need in the long-term.