Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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231. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department is engaging with the animal welfare charities on their preparedness for the restriction on XL bullies, which is due to come into force on 1 October. [38013/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I recently announced a ban on XL Bully type dogs in the interest of public safety following a number of recent horrific attacks. The ban will be implemented in the following two stages:

Since October 1st 2024, new regulations have prohibited the importing, breeding, rehoming and selling of XL Bully type dogs.

From February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully type dog without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’ issued by the local authority in which the dog resides.

The ban is being brought in over two stages to give XL Bully type dog owners who wish to keep their XL Bully type dog the time to obtain a 'Certificate of Exemption'. There will be a four month period between the 1st October 2024 and before 1st February 2025, where these owners will be able to apply for a 'Certificate of Exemption'.

As part of this approach, my officials have engaged with the various stakeholders, including animal welfare charities, and will continue to do so. Having considered their concerns, XL Bully type dog owners will not be charged an application fee when they apply for a 'Certificate of Exemption'. Also, as part of the regulations, any registered charitable organisation who had an XL Bully type dog in their care before 1st October 2024 will have until 1st February 2024 to rehome the dog to a new owner. Any new owner will also have to comply with all of the 'Certificate of Exemption' requirements.

As I previously announced in July, all XL Bully type dog owners will be required to licence, microchip and neuter their dogs. Further information on the criteria to qualify and the documentation needed for a 'Certificate of Exemption' application, is available on gov.ie/xlbully.

My Department has been engaging with several animal welfare charities over recent weeks and is currently exploring ways in which they can be supported in their work as the regulations come into effect.