Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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206. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if gardaí are equipped with scanners to read microchips on horses and dogs; if so, the number of scanners possessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4708/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible, by law, for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána including the provision of equipment for use by Garda members. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that microchip scanners are not supplied and there is currently no plan for the roll out of these scanners to individual stations. I understand that when the need arises, Gardaí seek the assistance of local vets to ascertain if animals have a microchip inserted on them and the vet also provides details of the registration as it pertains to the chip, if available.