Vol. 545 No. 4
280 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the estimated dog population in the country; the estimated number of dogs which are licensed and unlicensed; and if he will consider microchipping dogs at birth. [30484/01]
There is no reliable data available on the existing dog population in Ireland. A survey conducted some years ago indicated an approximate level of ownership of one in five persons, which would suggest a dog population of 750,000 approximately. In 2000, the latest year for which statistics are available, a total of 158,200 dog licences and 206 general dog licences were issued. I have no proposals to introduce compulsory microchipping for all dogs.
