James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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1231. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline his Department’s policy on illegal puppy farming; if he will provide an update on the progress made under this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10632/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Rural and Community Development has policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. The Dog Breeding Establishments Act provides a regulatory framework for the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments by local authorities and, where a serious and immediate threat exists to public health or animal health and welfare, for the closure of such establishments.

Any suspicions of illegal dog breeding establishments should be referred to the appropriate local authority or An Garda Síochána.

The Department of Rural and Community Development has advised that updates to the existing legislation are required, and it is proposed that amendments will be made through a Control of Dogs and Dog Breeding Establishment Miscellaneous Bill.

The Dog Control Stakeholder Group established by the Department of Rural and Community Development in 2024 has been tasked with considering the policy and legislative matters currently under the remit of that Department, specifically the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act.

As part of the Programme for Government, the Government has set out how it intends to provide for an enhanced approach to dog control issues. In this regard, all legislation and policy in relation to the Control of Dogs, Dog Welfare and Dog Breeding Establishments will rest with my Department. Initial discussions involving the relevant Government Departments, including my Department, on the approach to implementation of this transfer have commenced. These discussions will continue over the coming weeks and any necessary legislation to facilitate changes in Departmental responsibilities will be advanced.