Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. In late 2022, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine was tasked with leading a cross-government review of legislation regarding dogs. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and I held a meeting in early January and asked officials to convene a working group on the issue. The terms of reference of the group are published on gov.ie. The working group examined issues related to dog control and made a number of recommendations for action.

The report of the group was approved by the Government and is also available on gov.ie. The report's recommendations include increasing on-the-spot fines in relation to offences under the Control of Dogs Act. My officials are currently drafting the necessary statutory instruments to effect this change as soon as possible. It is my firm intention to significantly increase the fines regarding dogs which are not in effectual control and, therefore, at risk of worrying livestock. The report also proposed increasing the number of local authority dog wardens nationally. This action is necessary to ensure increased enforcement of penalties and act as a deterrent to irresponsible dog ownership. This recommendation will now be progressed in the context of annual budgetary processes.

My officials will continue to work closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to co-ordinate efforts in the area of dog control and related issues across government. I look forward to engaging with stakeholders as we progress this important work.

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