Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 966: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of dog licenses issued in each of the past five years for which figures are available; the breakdown of the amount issued by each local authority in the past year for which figures are available; the revenue raised; and his plans to make legislative changes in this area. [38786/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The number of dog licences issued in the last five years is as follows:-

The breakdown of the number of dog licences issued by each local authority in 2008 is as follows:-

The estimated revenue for dog licences issued in 2008 is €2,845,359.

Work is underway in drafting an amendment to the Control of Dogs Acts and I hope to publish my proposals in the near future. The draft Bill proposes to give statutory effect to the recommendations of the Working Group which was established to review the management of dog breeding establishments. The Working Group recommended that a dog breeding establishment be defined as 'a premises containing more than 5 female dogs, aged over 4 months, with breeding potential'.

The draft Bill proposes that dog breeding establishments be required to register with the relevant local authority, that they pay a registration fee and that they meet a minimum set of veterinary, welfare and other standards, together with some associated requirements. It will also update the legislative provisions in relation to dog licences.