Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have two brief questions for the Minister. The first relates to the digital innovation fund that was run by her Department. We had a first round of funding in relation to that. There are a number of projects that came through the first round of funding that now need to be scaled up in the second phase. We were promised a second phase in relation to it but we still do not know what is happening with it. I am not going ask the Minister to respond on the hoof in relation to it, but I would be grateful if she could come back to the committee on that funding programme.

The second point, and the Minister might respond to us if she can, is that €2 million has been allocated under the rural regeneration subhead to deal with the control of dogs. We have spent the last six months in this House and in these committees talking about TV licences and the enforcement of TV licences. There has been very little going on in terms of the enforcement of the dog licence. Every week, about five flocks of sheep are being worried by stray dogs in this country. On top of that, we have heard reports of the horrendous assaults on children in this country and a lack of enforcement of the Control of Dogs Act. I think there needs to be more focus on this than on worrying about prosecuting people in relation to TV licences. We need to look at dogs that can cause harm - very serious economic harm and also harm to animals and human beings. We need to see greater focus on enforcement in relation to this.

I commend the Minister on bringing forward this allocation, but it is important that the local authorities around the country are providing the resources to the staff to enforce the Act and ensure it is actually enforced. One of the basic responsibilities of local authorities in this country is to enforce the particular provisions which, because of the lack of engagement, are causing a threat to the lives of both humans and animals.