Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for her question. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Humphreys, who sends her apologies to the Senator for being unable to be present to take the Commencement matter herself. The Department of Rural and Community Development has policy and legislative responsibility for two areas relating to dogs - the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014 and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. Legislative and policy responsibilities in relation to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and Control of Dogs Act 1986 transferred to the Department from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in July 2017, when the Department of Rural and Community Development was formed. Under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, local authorities have responsibility for all operational matters. This includes powers in relation to the licensing and inspection of dog breeding establishments.The Department published dog breeding establishment guidelines in 2018. These guidelines were issued under section 15 (4) of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, following a public consultation process, and set standards that must be followed not just in relation to the structures but also the management of the establishment. This extends to exercise, to socialisation, and to enhancement and enrichment of the dogs. The Department officials are reviewing the existing legislative provisions under the 2010 and the Control of Dogs Act taking account of recommendations from, inter alia, the report of the working group on control of dogs; the consultation on the Dog Breeding Establishments Act Oireachtas with stakeholders and experts in the field; the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and the outcomes of the public consultation undertaken by the Department in 2019.

Updates to the existing legislation are required and it is proposed that amendments will be made through a control of dogs and dog breeding establishment (miscellaneous provisions) Bill. Among items under consideration for this Bill are the inclusion of additional breeds in the restricted dogs list, updates to definitions contained in the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, and the potential for expansion of this Act. In November the Ministerfor Rural and Community Development, Deputy Humphreys, announced the establishment of an independently chaired high-level stakeholder group that will inform decisions regarding any potential legislative change. The first meeting of the group is scheduled soon and the Minister will be announcing full details of the membership of this group shortly. The group comprises a broad range of expertise including sectoral and academic experts. Groups like Dogs Trust, which the Senator mentioned, and the ISPCA are included and the members will be well placed to identify challenges and solutions in relation to the existing legislation and recommend a way forward.

In addition, the Department of Rural and Community Developmentcollates and publishes annual statistics on local authority dog-related activities. These include, for example, information on stray and unwanted dogs, dog licences, enforcement actions, and the operation of local authority dog shelters and dog breeding establishments. These statistics include the number of inspections carried out on dog breeding establishments. The statistics are available on the gov.iewebsite and the statistics indicate high levels of inspection for all licensed dog breeding establishments.

In order to further support developments in this work and to provide a strong evidence base to inform policy making, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has asked her officials to request additional information from local authorities going forward. This would include the number of puppies born in dog breeding establishments as well as additional information in relation to surrenders. The Senator will be aware that the issues raised require analysis and consultation to ensure amendments are not just robust, fit for purpose and implementable but that they also deliver the best outcomes for communities and for dogs themselves. It is our intention to work closely with stakeholders and experts as the work is progressed and particularly on legislative changes. This may mean that progress might not be as fast as some would like. There is, however, a value in having the conversations now to deliver the improvements that we know are needed.