Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider amending existing legislation to oblige all dog owners to microchip their dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8998/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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While I have no proposals at present to introduce compulsory microchipping of all dogs, there have been a number of recent developments that have increased microchipping usage. The regulations I introduced in early 2012 under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010 stipulate that all dogs held in such establishments be microchipped once they reach 8 weeks of age or when a dog is moved from the establishment. This initiative will result in more and more dogs being microchipped over time. In addition, many dogs that are seized by dog wardens are microchipped prior to being given to new owners.

To be properly effective, the compulsory microchipping of dogs should be supported by the development of a central registration system for all dogs. It would also be necessary to have the co-operation of the dog-owning public in updating a central registration system where the ownership of a dog changes. These large projects will be kept under review as they would involve a significant investment in terms of time and funding.