Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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323. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what his Department's current position is with regard to plans to take over the running of local authority veterinary services; what stage those negotiations are at; when he can see them reaching conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4659/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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At present, Local Authorities (LAs) under service contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) are responsible for food law enforcement at certain food businesses, including small meat manufacturing plants and slaughterhouses.

On 3^rdJanuary 2024, the Department of Health (DoH), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), and the FSAI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) confirming that DoH, DAFM and FSAI, in consultation with DHLGH, have reached an ‘Agreement in Principle’ for the State to have a single National Veterinary Service in terms of the function relating to the supervision of food production premises, that incorporates the Local Authority Veterinary Service (LAVS) into the existing DAFM Veterinary Service.

Understanding the significant complexities involved in progressing the transfer of the LAVS to DAFM, the parties have agreed to develop a phased transitional plan, which will be in consultation with the local government sector.