Vol. 502 No. 6
253 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will create a concession for old age pensioners living alone or over 75 years of age in the purchase of dog licences in view of the benefits in terms of security and companionship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9098/99]
The question of introducing a scheme whereby elderly persons could obtain a dog licence at a reduced rate has been examined.
While I recognise that a dog can provide both a sense of security and companionship for elderly people, it would not be feasible to introduce such a scheme without incurring substantial administrative costs. There would also be some loss of revenue for local authorities, who rely on income from dog licences to assist in financing their dog control activities.
At a practical level also, such a scheme could give rise to difficulties in establishing the ownership of dogs in respect of which a reduced rate licence was paid but where the dog in question was being kept by a person who was not eligible for such a licence. Under section 6 of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 a dog licence may be transferred to any other person when possession, but not ownership, of the dog is transferred to such other person.
