A total of 99 animal charities are to receive new funding of more than €5.8 million, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue has announced.

The minister, who confirmed details of the financial support for the charities today (Thursday, December 8) on Annual Animal Welfare Awareness Day, said the money will make a real difference by improving the welfare of animals across the country.

Minister McConalogue said that animal welfare is important to everyone in Ireland.

“Those who work for animal welfare charities are frontline workers and treat it as a vocation. We are extremely grateful of the tremendous work they do in keeping pets and animals safe," he added.

Minister McConalogue said he views the people who work for these charities as "frontline workers" who treat it as a vocation.

"We are extremely grateful of the tremendous work they do in keeping pets and animals safe," he said.

“Charities play a crucial role in helping animals in need, educating people, and raising public awareness about improving animal welfare," he added.

To mark Animal Welfare Awareness Day, Minister McConalogue also announced the winners of a children’s art competition which had attracted more than 1,000 entries from children aged 10 to 12.

The five winning entries were chosen bya judging panel led by Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) ambassador Rosanna Davison.

The winners included Ava McCole, aged 11, from Co. Galway; Joey Hughes, aged 12, from Co. Cavan; Sofia Vicinska, aged 11, also from Co. Cavan; Órlaith Fahy, aged 11, from Co. Mayo; and Brónagh Feeney aged 11, from Co. Sligo.

Minister McConalogue congratulated all the children who had entered the competition.

“Not only were all our entrants extremely talented but their work shows an awareness for animal welfare that must be applauded," he said.

“It was very clear to me how passionate our children are about animals," the minister added.