Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

441. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the rationale for changing the kennelling requirement for prison service dogs to home-kennelling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49712/25]

Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

442. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is aware that dog handlers who are not homeowners are being redeployed within the Prison Service due to being unable to fulfil the new requirement to home kennel the dog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49713/25]

Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

443. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is an appeals mechanism available to an individual employed within the Prison Service as a dog handler who has had to forfeit their position as a dog handler due to them not being able to kennel the dog at home as they not a homeowner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49714/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 441, 442 and 443 together.

The Irish Prison Service's K9 teams are a national resource which can be deployed across the country depending on operational requirements and are part of a suite of detection measures and technologies deployed to target the smuggling of contraband into prisons.

I am advised that the Irish Prison Service is currently restructuring its K9 capability, which will include a move to home kennelling. Home kennelling is considered internationally to be a best-practice model from a dynamic deployment perspective and from a dog welfare perspective, given that the dogs require kennelling and care off duty as well as during working tours.

This restructuring will have an impact on some current K9 handlers which is regrettable but I understand discussions are ongoing between the IPS and the staff representative association to resolve any outstanding matters in relation to this.