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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 31 May 2000

Vol. 520 No. 2

Written Answers. - Dog Licences.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

122 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if consider ation has been given to issuing free dog licences to pensioners; and the estimated cost of such a measure. [15538/00]

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

131 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the estimated number of dogs in the country; the number of dog licences issued; his views on whether procedures for enforcement of licensing and control are adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15575/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 131 together.

The question of introducing a scheme whereby certain categories of dog owners could obtain a dog licence at a reduced rate has been examined. While it is recognised that a dog can provide both a sense of security and companionship to many elderly people and to people living alone, it would not, unfortunately, be feasible to introduce such a scheme without incurring substantial administrative costs and a loss of revenue to the local authorities, who rely on the revenue from the sale of dog licences to finance their dog control activities. At a practical level also, such a scheme would give rise to difficulties for local authorities in attempting to establish the true ownership of a dog which was covered by a reduced fee licence but which was being kept by a person who was not eligible for such a licence.

There is no reliable data available on the existing dog population in Ireland. In 1999 a total of 157,010 dog licences and 197 general dog licences were issued.

The Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act, 1992, together with revised and consolidated regulations, were brought into effect on 1 February 1999. The increase in dog licence fees provided for in the Act will increase revenue to local authorities to fund their dog control activities and should lead to improved levels of enforcement. My Department will monitor progress in this regard.

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