I propose to take Questions Nos. 835, 871 and 885 together.
The most recent increase in the charge for a dog licence took effect from 1 January 2012. This was the first increase since 1998 and was in line with the increase in the consumer price index.
There is no clear evidence that the increase in the cost of a dog licence has led directly to a reduction in the number of dog licences issued, indeed a number of local authorities have increased the number of licences issued since the increase in fee. The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 place statutory responsibility for dog control and licensing services on local authorities. It is ultimately a matter for each local authority to ensure that the dog licensing regulations are being implemented in their areas.
My Department has had discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding proposals for the microchipping of dogs under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013 and this engagement will continue. I understand that the proposals for the microchipping of dogs are primarily to cater for the welfare of dogs, both microchipping and dog licensing are important dog welfare and dog control measures and the existence of one does not negate the need for the other. Funds raised through dog licence fees are the primary source of funding for local authorities to enable them to undertake their responsibilities under the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 and associated regulations.
Information on the number of dog licence issued by each local authority since 2002, as well as a broad range of other data concerning the dog control functions of local authorities, is available on my Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/DogControl
