Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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554. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the regulation of puppy farms; the steps his Department takes to protect the welfare of dogs in such farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6119/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Responsibility for legislation relating to dog breeding establishments rests with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. However, officials from my Department work closely with local authority officers on issues relating to the welfare of dogs and, in 2015, engaged with them on joint inspections of dog breeding establishments. In overall terms the welfare of the dogs was satisfactory; however a number of notices were issued by local authorities with a view to improving housing facilities and reducing the number of dogs kept.

A detailed list of statistics on the 2015 local authority inspections, notices issued and detailed information can be found at the following link: .

The figures for 2016 are being compiled at present and will soon be published at the same location.

The Deputy may also be aware of the current public consultation on revised guidelines for the operation of dog breeding establishments. In 2015, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government began a review of the current Dog Breeding Establishment (DBE) Guidelines, under the auspices of the County and City Managers Association (CCMA) Dogs Working Group. A first draft revision of the Guidelines was produced. The review of the Guidelines was subsequently broadened to a more formal public consultation, for quality assurance and to ensure openness and inclusivity. My colleague, Minister Coveney launched this public consultation process on 1 December 2016 and it will close on 28 February 2017.

More details on this public consultation process can be accessed at the following link: .