Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, I thank Senator Boylan for raising what is a very important issue. I am delighted to have the opportunity to outline the work across government in this area, the commitments we have made in the programme for Government and how we are acting on them and what the different Departments are doing. The Senator has directed this question towards me and my Department today from an agricultural perspective, and I take that on board. As the Senator rightly outlined, there are a number of different areas of responsibility and I am happy to outline them.

I acknowledge the fantastic effort and commitment made by animal welfare organisations and the many volunteers dedicated to the care and welfare of canines, who often operate in challenging and stressful circumstances. Animal welfare charities play a crucial role in helping animals in need, educating people and raising public awareness around improving animal welfare. Those who work in the sector treat it as more than a career. They are passionate about this area and the Government recognises the huge work these key workers do. It is truly front-line care.

In relation to capacity issues, as the Senator has outlined, the Department of Rural and Community Development has policy responsibility for dog control and dog breeding establishments, while the local authorities are responsible for the operational activities. These include dog licensing, the dog warden service and the management and operation of local authority pounds or shelters. The Department of Rural and Community Development's 2021 dog control statistics, which are compiled from returns from all local authorities, indicate there are 34 local authority dog shelters or pounds. The Control of Dogs Act empowers the local authorities to enter into arrangements with any other local authority, with the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ISPCA, or with a person connected with animal welfare. The procurement of any service, therefore, in relation to local authority pounds is a matter for each local authority and the management, and operation of such pounds or shelters are matters solely for the relevant local authority.

Animal welfare is increasingly important to people in Ireland, and I consider it a priority for my Department. The Department's animal welfare grants programme is a clear acknowledgement of the vital work of animal welfare charities in delivering on the care and welfare of animals, including the neutering and rehoming of dogs. On Animal Welfare Awareness Day last December, the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, announced record animal welfare grant funding of €3.7 million to 98 animal welfare organisations. Of this funding, €2.7 million was awarded to 68 organisations that deal with the welfare and rehoming of dogs.

The Department of Rural and Community Development statistics indicate that almost 2,000 dogs were transferred from the local authorities to dog welfare groups for rehoming in 2021. These figures are down from 2,500 in 2020. All of the figures in this area are showing a dramatic change and improvement. These statistics also demonstrate the success of the various neutering and microchipping programmes operated by these animal welfare charities. I acknowledge that, their ongoing work in this area and how we are working to support them in that.

The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, intends to deliver on the programme for Government commitment to further increase the funding allocated via the grants programme in 2022. He will announce details of these awards later this month. As with last year's awards, this year's funding will recognise the importance of education and dissemination of knowledge to improve animal welfare and, indeed, educating the public on the responsibilities involved with dog ownership.

Imparting knowledge on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership plays a crucial role in improving standards nationally and can help to reduce the number of dogs which are abandoned, surrendered or rehomed. That is ultimately the point. We will work, as will the Department of Rural and Community Development and the local authorities, to address any short-term pressures. The absolute approach, however, has to be reducing, and I am sure the Senator agrees with me on this. We have made huge progress in this area on better breeding techniques and education. We must drive home the message now at this time of year that a dog is for life and not just for Christmas. Everybody who is contemplating getting a family pet this Christmas should bear that in mind.