Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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377. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be made available to local authorities for the provision of additional dog wardens in 2026, given the impact that dog fouling has on children, wheelchair users and people who are vision impaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52848/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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From 1 June 2025, all policy and legislative responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts transferred to my Department from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG).

Prior to 2025, DRCDG did not provide funding to local authorities to employ dog wardens. In July 2024, funding of €2 million was announced for local authorities to support the resourcing of dog warden services in 2025. The funding is intended as a support for the hiring of up to 40 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.

To date, funds have been provided to 30 local authorities to support the resourcing of additional dog warden positions in 2025. I am aware that recruitment of additional dog wardens has been undertaken 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.

The budgetary process for 2026 as part of the annual cycle for my Department as a whole is ongoing, so I am not yet in a position to comment on 2026 initiatives.