John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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92. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the breakdown of the number of new dog wardens which have been recruited in each local authority on foot of the additional €2 million provided to support recruitment efforts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25969/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has overall policy responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014. Local authorities have responsibility for all operational matters under the Control of Dogs Acts.

All local authorities have a responsibility under the Control of Dogs Acts to employ at least one dog warden. It is a matter for each Local Authority to ensure additional dog wardens are appointed to meet their obligations under legislation.

To date, funds have been provided to 30 local authorities to support the resourcing of additional dog warden positions from 2025. Waterford City & County Council have indicated they are not in a position to accept the funding at this time. I am aware that recruitment for dog wardens is underway in several local authorities, however, the final number of appointments is not yet available. Local authorities are to submit a progress report to my Department 12 months after acceptance of the additional funding.

My Department publishes annual statistics in respect of a range of the dog control responsibilities of local authorities. Information up to and including 2023, including numbers of dog wardens, by county and in tabular form, is available on the dog control statistics page on gov.ie. The 2024 dog control statistics have been requested from local authorities and will be published on gov.ie once available. The 2025 dog control statistics will not be available until next year.

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.