Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 February 2024
264. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 413 of 7 February 2024, what role his Department has with regard to oversight of dog ownership compliance; what engagement he has with Rásaíocht Con Éireann on this focus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6834/24]
View answerIn relation to dog ownership compliance, my Department is responsible for S.I. No 63/2015, the Microchipping of Dogs Regulation 2015 and S.I. 427/2015 - Microchipping of Dogs (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Under these Regulations, all dogs over 12 weeks of age (or younger if sold before 12 weeks) must be microchipped. These regulations were made under the Animal Health & Welfare Act, 2013 and therefore can be enforced by any authorised officer under that Act. This includes officers of my Department, An Gardaí Síochána, authorised officers appointed by local authorities, Customs agents and, through service level agreements, authorised officers of the ISPCA, DSPCA and Rásaíocht Con Éireann.
Compliance with dog licensing requirements is a matter for the Local Authorities.
Oversight of compliance with dog ownership requirements by Rásaíocht Con Éireann is an operational matter for that organisation. I have referred the matter to RCE for direct response.
