Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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193. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding dog breeding guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44286/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The regulation of Dog Breeding Establishments (DBE) is a matter for each local authority in whose functional area the establishment is located. The local authority is required to maintain a register of dog breeding establishments in its functional area, which must include details of applicants for inclusion on the register and the maximum number of breeding bitches that may be kept at the relevant establishment.

The Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010 provides a robust regulatory framework for, inter alia, the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments by LAs and, where a serious and immediate threat exists to public health or animal health and welfare, for the closure of such establishments.

The then Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government agreed to begin a process of review of the current Dog Breeding Establishment Guidelines in late 2015. In 2016, the review was broadened to a more formal public consultation, both for quality assurance and to address the need for openness and inclusiveness. A wide-scale formal public consultative process commenced on 1 December 2016 and closed on 28 February 2017.

Responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act transferred to my Department in July 2017.  My Department has completed its review of the feedback and data received through the consultation process and the findings will be submitted shortly to the Minister with delegated responsibility for the matter, Minister of State, Sean Kyne, T.D.