Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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1711. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to find and take action against illegal puppy farms that are not registered as dog breeding establishments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19812/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) currently 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.

The Dog Control Stakeholder Group established in 2024 have been tasked with considering the policy and legislative matters 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. Discussions are currently ongoing between my Department and DRCD to implement this Transfer of Functions in a timely manner. In the meantime, I am fully committed to progressing the work in this area.

My Department also operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation.

The dedicated e-mail address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:

Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379.

Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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1712. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider forming a special task force comprising rescue centres, the Revenue Commissioners and an organisation (details supplied) and other relevant actors to find and shut down illegal puppy farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19813/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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A high level stakeholder group was established by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) in 2024. The objective of the group is to consider the policy and legislative matters, specifically the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act.

The stakeholder group meets regularly and its remit includes considering the need for legislative change. This requires in depth analysis and consultation to ensure amendments are not just robust, fit for purpose and implementable but that they also deliver the best outcomes for communities and for dogs themselves. A sub-group of the stakeholder group has also been established to focus on and make recommendations specifically related to Dog Breeding Establishments.

The stakeholder group is independently chaired by retired Deputy Garda Commissioner Mr. John Twomey, and is comprised of members with a broad range of expertise including academics, veterinary surgeons, local authorities, farming interests, charities working in the field and animal welfare experts. The ISPCA are also represented on the stakeholder group. The Revenue Commissioners are not currently represented on the stakeholder group.

The Programme for Government sets out how the Government intends to provide for an enhanced approach to dog control issues. In this regard, it is intended that all legislation and policy in relation to the Control of Dogs, Dog Welfare and Dog Breeding Establishments will rest with my Department. Discussions are currently ongoing between my Department and DRCD to implement this transfer of function.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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1713. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has reviewed the two detailed reform proposals submitted by a person (details supplied) concerning urgent changes needed in the regulation of dog breeding establishments and the Control of Horses Act 1996; the actions he will take in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19818/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Control of Horses Act, 1996 was introduced to provide for the control of horses and to make provision for the licensing of horses in urban and other areas where horses cause a danger or nuisance to people or property. The Act is currently under review within my Department. All submissions received will feed into the legislative process.

My Department provides funding to local authorities as a contribution towards the costs incurred by them in the operation of the Control of Horses Act, 1996. Enforcement of the Act is a matter for the relevant local authority.

My Department is in the process of taking over policy responsibility for Dog Breeding Establishments. Perhaps the Deputy would like to forward the detailed reform proposal in relation to Dog Breeding Establishments to my office, for consideration by my Department.