Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Following ongoing discussions between the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, an Agreement in Principle was reached on the future of the food safety controls currently carried out by the Local Authority Veterinary Service (LAVS).

A memo for government outlining the proposal was agreed at Cabinet in July and Government agreed:

1. to a phased transfer of official food controls currently undertaken by Local Authority Veterinary Services to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine;
2. to the permanent transfer of funding from the Department of Health to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and
3. to the transfer of relevant staff resources from Local Authorities to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

My Department is committed to ensuring a seamless transfer process and maintaining continuity in the provision of essential services and is working with the above Departments and Agencies with the aim of having the transfer completed in quarter four, 2024.

In relation to the Control of Dogs and the Control of Horses legislation, the agreed memo has confirmed that the roles and responsibilities of the Department of Community and Rural Development (DCRD) and Local Authorities in relation to the Control of Dogs 1996 and 2002 and Dog Breeding Establishment 2010 Acts, and that of Local Authorities in relation to the Control of Horses 1996 Act, would continue as they do at present.

However, recognising that the veterinary inspectors in Local Authorities are currently the only authorised persons under the Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010, my Department has agreed in principle to provide the oversight/inspection function of these premises for the respective Local Authorities. My Department has also agreed to provide any necessary professional veterinary advice to DCRD and Local Authorities in relation to any of their initiatives or activities related to these functions. The dog warden service will remain with the local authorities as is the case at present.

My Department looks forward to the opportunities that this transfer will bring and the positive impact it will have on the Department’s ability to better serve the Agrifood sector, consumers, and broader interests across Ireland.