Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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728. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 723 and 1146 of 22 September 2015, his plans to introduce new legislation, or to amend existing legislation, to clarify the definition of an assistance dog; and if he will ensure that there is the appropriate oversight and accreditation of the training of assistance dogs, and of their provision to persons with disabilities. [34599/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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My Department has policy and legislative responsibility for matters related to the control of dogs including, for example, matters in relation to dog-licencing, restricted dog breeds and local authority responsibilities, as set out in the Control of Dogs Acts and relevant Ministerial Regulations. This responsibility does not extend to matters in relating to the provision, training and oversight of assistance dogs for people with disabilities. Accordingly, I do not propose to introduce legislation in this regard.