Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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518. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the work of the high-level stakeholder group to consider and make recommendations to strengthen policy concerning dog control issues; when the group will issue recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27928/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has policy and legislative responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act.

In March 2024 I announced the establishment of a high level stakeholder group to consider and make recommendations to strengthen policy in relation these issues. The group is independently chaired by retired Deputy Garda Commissioner Mr John Twomey and is comprised of members with a broad range of expertise.

The group have been tasked with considering the policy and legislative matters under the remit of my Department, specifically the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act.

The group has met twice to date: the most recent meeting took place on the 26th June. The work of the stakeholder group is complex in nature requiring full consideration of all aspects of both pieces of legislation under the remit of my Department and this will take some time. However, in view of recent events, I have asked the Chair to prioritise the issue of Restricted Dogs and this was the first issue to be considered by the stakeholder group at its recent meeting. I expect the group to revert to me with recommendations on the matter as soon as possible once they have considered all the issues arising.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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519. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of dog wardens partaking in the national training programme; where this training is taking place; the overall cost of the programme; if this is a voluntary or mandatory training programme; the person or body that developed the training programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27929/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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To support the work of dog wardens and to ensure consistency and a standardised approach to enforcement, my Department has provided €10,000 in funding towards the cost of the Dog Control Service National Training Programme 2024. The training takes place over 8 days and is covered under 4 modules. Each Local Authority funds their individual participant's fee of €175 per module. The programme is voluntary, however all dog control personnel are actively encouraged to attend.

The CCMA Dog Control Working Group developed the programme in association with my Department. This Working Group is chaired by a Local Authority Director of Services and includes Local Authority Veterinary Officers and Dog Wardens.

The training commenced in April. Three modules have been completed to date and 55 dog wardens have attended. The training took place in Roscrea, Thurles, and Dublin. The final module is scheduled to take place in Roscrea in October.