Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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32. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he is satisfied with the increases in the number of licences issued for dog breeding establishments in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25844/18]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Section 9 of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 requires each local authority to establish and maintain a register of dog breeding establishments situated in their respective functional areas. It is a legal requirement that any persons intending to operate such establishments must apply to their local authority for inclusion in the register.

The local authority assesses the application and, if appropriate, confirms their registration. It is important that all dog breeding establishments operating in Ireland are registered as it allows the local authorities to inspect and regulate the premises.

The licensing regime is designed to ensure that dog breeding establishments operating in Ireland are regulated by local authorities to ensure an appropriate standard.  Licensing and other operational matters such as monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments are statutory functions of local authorities and, accordingly, my Department has no direct function in these activities.