Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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263. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to uphold animal welfare standards, in line with Programme for Government commitments; the number of inspections of puppy farms in the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66733/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department has lead policy responsibility within Government for animal welfare and takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously. I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner.

Earlier this year, responsibility for all policy and legislation in relation to the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010 transferred to my Department.

In March 2024, the then Minister for Rural and Community Development established the Dog Control Stakeholder Group to review the Control of Dogs Act and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act.

The stakeholder group’s remit includes considering the need for legislative change. This requires in-depth analysis and consultation to ensure that amendments are not just robust, fit for purpose and implementable, but that they also deliver the best outcomes for communities. I am committed to reviewing all legislation relating to dogs, and in this regard will be guided by the recommendations of the Dog Control Stakeholder Group. I expect the group to revert to me with recommendations on the matter in due course.

Inspections of dog breeding establishments are carried out by my Department and by local authority dog wardens.

All registered dog breeding establishments must undergo an annual inspection. My Department does not hold information on the number of inspections carried out by the Dog Warden Service or the number of inspections carried out prior to January 2025. This information can be requested from the local authorities directly.

Provisional figures show that my Department has carried out over 120 inspections on dog breeding establishments on behalf of local authorities up to Q3 in 2025. Of these, 84 inspections were unannounced