John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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78. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if, in view of the provisions of section 15(2) and (3) of the Control of Dogs Act 1986, Wicklow County Council could negate the need to comply with public procurement procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37987/16]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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79. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason, in view of the fact that each local authority is providing the same service, there is such a disparity between the standards and the interpretations of the Control of Dogs Act 1986 in different pounds and the costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37988/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together.

Under the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities have responsibility for operating and managing dog control and licensing services in their administrative areas, including the management of dog pounds or shelters and my Department has no involvement in this process.

The procurement of any service in that regard and the cost of operating and managing these pounds is a matter solely for each local authority and is one in which my Department has no role.

Moreover, the enforcement of welfare standards regarding all animals, including the welfare of dogs in pounds and shelters, is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.