Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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1826. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will implement a reimbursement scheme for rescue organisations that neuter dogs taken from pounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47184/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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In March 2024, the Minister for Rural and Community Development established a high level stakeholder group to review the Control of Dogs Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act.  The stakeholder group's remit includes considering the need for legislative change.

This required in-depth analysis and consultation to ensure any suggested amendments or recommendations would not just be robust, fit for purpose and implementable but that they would also deliver the best outcomes for communities and for dogs themselves. 

Three sub-groups of the stakeholder group were subsequently established to focus on specific areas relating to dog control and welfare, including neutering.

Policy responsibility for dog control has moved to my Department  with effect from June of this year, and I expect that the Group will submit their recommendations to me for consideration as soon as possible.