Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1851. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide the resources necessary to secure extra dog wardens for Cork county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17928/23]
View answerIn late 2022, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine was tasked by the then Taoiseach, now Tánaiste Micheál Martin to lead a cross-government review of legislation regarding dogs. Minister McConalogue and I held a meeting in early January and we requested officials to convene a working group on the control of dogs’ issue. The terms of reference of the group are published on Gov.ie.
The working group examined issues related to dog control and made a number of recommendations for action. The report of the group has been published and is also available on Gov.ie. This Report recommends, inter alia, increasing the number of Dog Wardens nationally and this recommendation will now be progressed in the context of annual budgetary processes.
My officials will continue to work closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to co-ordinate efforts in the area of dog control and related issues across government, and look forward to engaging with stakeholders as we progress this important work.
