James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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1082. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to assist zoos and animal parks here following the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7779/20]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My Department has responsibility for the licensing and inspection of zoos under the European Communities (Licensing and Inspection of Zoos) Regulations 2003, S.I. No. 440 of 2003. Under these Regulations, zoos are obliged to operate in accordance with the standards set out in the Irish Standards of Modern Zoo Practice (ISMZP). The granting and renewal of a licence from my Department to operate, is conditional on zoos complying with these standards. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine also has a role in relation to the Animal Health and Welfare Act.

There are currently 68 licensed zoos in the country ranging from small family-run wildlife parks to large internationally renowned zoos such as Dublin Zoo, as well as a number of mobile zoos and aquaria.

Like almost all public facing businesses, zoos have been closed to the public during the current Covid-19 crisis, and the Government has a range of supports in place to assist businesses, which includes the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme and a range of other business supports.

In parallel with these measures, my Department is working to provide zoos with guidance and support. My Department is in contact with zoos across Ireland and with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria to ensure the best possible solutions for animals and to help zoo owners continue to operate their establishments within the regulatory framework. While it has not been possible to carry out inspections due to the COVID-19 restrictions on travel and social distancing, the Department will, in so far as possible, facilitate zoos regarding licence expiry dates and meeting licence conditions. Once it is safe to do so, zoo inspections will resume. There is no licence fee charged to cover the costs associated with the inspection and licensing processes; these costs are met by the Department.

In recent days, my Department has been informed by several zoos that they plan to reopen as soon as the restrictions around COVID-19 allow and are putting in place well thought out and comprehensive plans for doing so. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has published the National Return to Work Safely Protocol, which guides businesses in making their assessments and adapting their workplace procedures and practices to comply fully with the COVID-19 related public health protection measures.