Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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786. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on puppy farming; his views on the welfare of dogs in this environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12866/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Local authorities have responsibility under the Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010 for the licensing and inspection of dog breeding premises. In 2015 my Department engaged in joint inspections with the Local Authorities of the dog breeding establishments countrywide. Arising from these joint inspections, a number of establishments were requested to engage in structural improvements of their premises and one establishment was shut down by Carlow County Council in early 2015. My Department will engage in a further series of joint inspections with Local Authorities in the course of 2016.