Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount paid annually to a local authority (details supplied) for the employment of a vet. [4265/08]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Veterinary inspectors employed by local authorities, including Mayo County Council, are paid in accordance with salary scales determined by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I am advised that Mayo County Council employs three whole-time veterinary inspectors.

The cost to local authorities of providing food safety services under service contract to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is recouped from the FSAI which is funded for this purpose by the Department of Health and Children. Costs for veterinary inspectors' work not related to food safety and not performed under service contract with the FSAI are borne by the local authority.

In 2006, the last year for which full-year costs are available, the FSAI paid Mayo County Council €389,751; this covered payments to veterinary inspectors, administrative staff and related costs.