Holly Cairns (Cork South-West, Social Democrats)
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2589. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total amount provided to each local authority annually in order to employ veterinary inspectors and dog wardens, by local authority, from 2020 to date, in tabular form. [19154/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has overall policy responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014. However, local authorities have responsibility for all operational matters under the Control of Dogs Acts. Under the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities have the power to issue dog licenses, appoint dog wardens, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against dog owners, where appropriate.

Prior to 2025, my Department did not provide funding to local authorities to employ dog wardens. Income to support local authority Dog Control is sourced in a number of ways, primarily through dog licence fees and local authority own resources, with a nominal amount from fixed charge notices. Section 15 of the Control of Dogs Act stipulates that a local authority must employ at least one dog warden.

In July 2024, funding of €2 million annually was announced for local authorities to support the resourcing of dog warden services from 2025. The funding is intended as a support for the hiring of additional dog wardens and does not necessarily provide the full cost of employment. This funding recognises the increased demands in the area of dog control and the need to ensure resources on the ground to enforce the ban on XL Bully type dogs.

To date, funds have been provided to 29 local authorities as per the table below. Waterford City & County Council have indicated they are not in a position to accept the funding at this time. My officials are currently engaging with Cork City Council with a view to providing funding of €100,000 to support the resourcing of two additional dog warden positions.

My Department does not provide any funding to local authorities to employ veterinary inspectors and has no role in this regard.

The Programme for Government sets out how the Government 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 the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Discussions are currently ongoing between my Department and that Department to implement this Transfer of Functions in a timely manner.

In the meantime, I am fully committed to progressing the work in this area.