Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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71. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on the work being done by the stakeholders' group on control of dogs issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41341/23]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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71. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on the work being done by the stakeholders' group on control of dogs issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41341/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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During 2022, a number of serious dog attacks on people and livestock occurred, causing significant public concern in relation to the issue of dog control. Minister McConalogue and I requested our officials to convene a working group on control of dogs issues. The group published a report containing a number of recommendations in March of this year.

Recommendation 14 of the working group report proposes the establishment of a stakeholders group on control of dogs issues. This group will be convened by my Department, with representation from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and will provide a forum for stakeholder organisations to express their views on issues and possible solutions related to dog control issues.

The draft terms of reference and a list of potential stakeholders is currently under consideration and I hope to provide further information in the coming weeks.

My officials will continue to work closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to co-ordinate efforts in the area of dog control and related issues across government, and I look forward to engaging with stakeholders as we progress this important work.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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During 2022, a number of serious dog attacks on people and livestock occurred, causing significant public concern in relation to the issue of dog control. Minister McConalogue and I requested our officials to convene a working group on control of dogs issues. The group published a report containing a number of recommendations in March of this year.

Recommendation 14 of the working group report proposes the establishment of a stakeholders group on control of dogs issues. This group will be convened by my Department, with representation from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and will provide a forum for stakeholder organisations to express their views on issues and possible solutions related to dog control issues.

The draft terms of reference and a list of potential stakeholders is currently under consideration and I hope to provide further information in the coming weeks.

My officials will continue to work closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to co-ordinate efforts in the area of dog control and related issues across government, and I look forward to engaging with stakeholders as we progress this important work.