Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
919. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands the progress to date and-or the schedule for ensuring robust and consistent enforcement of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 as per the programme for Government. [23380/20]
View answerMy Department has overall policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, while local authorities have responsibility for all operational matters, including enforcement.
The Act provides for Guidelines to be put in place for the management and operation of Dog Breeding Establishments. Following a public consultation process in 2018, my Department published new Guidelines which came into effect on 1 January 2019 which will assist in the robust and consistent enforcement of the Act by local authorities. I want to see high standards achieved by Dog Breeding Establishments in Ireland and the Guidelines will help to achieve this.
My Department is now identifying and developing the necessary legislative amendments required to further improve standards and enforcement.
Separately, the enforcement of welfare standards regarding all animals, including dogs, is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Both Departments work together to ensure a coordinated approach is taken in this area.
