Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 778: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of the financial implications of the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill, 2009 to support the assertion that the Bill would be cost neutral. [14938/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The cost of regulation and inspection of dog breeding establishments will not fall on the general population but will be borne by the dog breeding establishments through a registration fee. This fee will vary in accordance with the number of breeding bitches, starting at €400 for an establishment with 6 to 12 breeding bitches; €800 for 13 to 25 bitches; €1,600 for 26 to 100 breeding bitches and proportionate increases thereafter. The fee will be payable directly to the local authority and the monies raised are intended to cover the costs of regulation and inspection.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 779: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of registered puppy farms here; and the number of breeding bitches within these establishments. [14939/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The information requested is not available in my Department. While there is currently no legal requirement for puppy farms to register, the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009, when enacted, will provide for a local authority regulated registration system for dog breeding establishments. This new legislative framework will be enforced through the existing local authority dog control structures.