Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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229. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to introduce legislation for dog trainers that train to assist persons with disabilities. [41269/18]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has policy and legislative responsibility for matters relating to the control of dogs as set out in the Control of Dogs Acts and relevant Ministerial Regulations. As this responsibility does not extend to dog trainers, or to the provision or training of assistance/service dogs for persons with disabilities, I have no plans to introduce legislation in this regard.

The Deputy may wish to consider contacting the organisation Irish Dogs for the Disabled at www.dogsfordisabled.ie which may be able to provide additional information on the matter. If the deputy wishes to correspond with my office in regard to what specifically she wishes to see legislated for, I can advise her on same.