Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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86. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline her Department’s provision for the additional funding and resources of veterinary services by local authorities to implement the XL bully ban, given that all current local authority vets will transfer to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine by January 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37289/24]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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87. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional supports will be made available to animal shelters to cope with the increased number of XL bully dogs being surrendered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40521/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together.

I announced the 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.

These two stages are designed to give XL Bully type dog owners who wish to keep their dog the time to obtain a 'Certificate of Exemption' from their Local Authority.

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.

In preparation for the regulations, my officials engaged with the various stakeholders, including animal welfare charities and shelters, 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.

My Department has been engaging with animal welfare charities and is currently exploring ways in which they can be supported in their work as the regulations come into effect. As a result of this engagement, I am aware that the costs of neutering can be a concern for some dog owners, particularly those on low incomes. I hope to announce shortly details of funding for several animal welfare charities to provide support in this area.

In relation to the proposed transfer of the Local Authority Veterinary Service to the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, I am advised that discussions between the parties involved are ongoing. My officials are in contact with officials in the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine regarding the possible impact the transfer may have on my Department’s Dog Control responsibilities, including any potential impacts in the context of the XL Bully type dog ban.

Details of any necessary operational arrangements will be finalised between my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Local Authorities in advance of transfer of resources.