Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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127. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the arrangements currently in place for the procurement and delivery of veterinary services at dog shelters; if he will detail any recent changes to these arrangements; the guidance issued by his Department to ensure consistency and high standards across such facilities; if veterinarians assigned have experience in shelter medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38258/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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This response is framed in the context of local authority dog shelters, on the assumption that this is where the Deputy’s focus of enquiry lies.

Policy responsibility for dog control was transferred to my Department from 1st June 2025, in accordance with commitments under the Programme for Government. My Department is working with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to ensure a smooth transfer of functions under the Control of Dogs Act. Local authorities are responsible for the operation and enforcement of the Act. Policy and Legislative responsibility in relation to the Dog Breeding Establishment Act has not yet transferred to my Department.

In January 2025, the veterinary inspectors in local authorities transferred to my Department including responsibility for inspections of Dog Breeding Establishments.

My Department will continue to review all policy and legislation in relation to this area, including that with respect to the control of dogs in due course.