Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
1571. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of dog wardens employed in each local authority in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13138/24]
View answer1572. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department will increase funding available to the dog control units of local authorities to hire additional dog wardens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13139/24]
View answer1596. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update in relation to the negotiations between her and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage about hiring more dog wardens; how many additional dog warden positions will be created; where these positions will be assigned; how much additional funding will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13151/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1571, 1572 and 1596 together.
My Department has overall policy responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014. This legislation makes provision for dog licensing arrangements and the functions of dog wardens. Local Authorities have responsibility for all operational matters under the Control of Dogs Acts.
All local authorities have a responsibility under the Control of Dogs Acts to employ at least one dog warden and provide a facility for stray dogs. It is a matter for each Local Authority to determine if additional dog wardens are required to meet their obligations under legislation.
My Department publishes annual statistics in respect of a range of the dog control responsibilities of local authorities. Information up to and including 2022, including numbers of dog wardens, by county and in tabular form, is available on the dog control statistics page on gov.ie: (www.gov.ie/en/collection/879d4c-dog-control-statistics/). The 2023 dog control statistics have been requested from local authorities and will be published on gov.ie once available.
Government established a working group in early 2023 to examine the current issues surrounding dog control and to make recommendations for improvements in the field. The report of the working group is available on Gov.ie. One of the recommendations of the report relates to the need for additional Dog Wardens and I have discussed and will continue to discuss the funding for the provision of these wardens with Minister Darragh O'Brien whose responsibilities include Local Government Funding. I am pleased to advise that I have made significant progress in the implementation of the actions assigned to my Department in the working group report.
I recently increased ‘on-the-spot’ fines for offences under the Control of Dogs Act, including trebling the fines for most serious offences from €100 to €300. Multiple fines can be issued where more than one offence occurs.
In addition, I announced the establishment of a high level stakeholder group to consider and make recommendations to strengthen policy in relation these issues. I have appointed John Twomey as Chair of the stakeholder group, which comprises members with a broad range of expertise including academics, veterinary surgeons, local authorities, farming interests, charities working in the field and animal welfare experts. The first meeting of this group will take place shortly.
My Department is also supporting a national training programme for dog wardens to ensure consistency and a standardised approach to enforcement. This training begins in April.
I believe it is important for dog owners to be aware of their responsibilities - not just to the general public but also to their dogs. For this reason, I intend to launch a media campaign shortly to alert dog owners to their responsibilities and to raise awareness of the dangers that can be posed by uncontrolled dogs.
In addition to these measures, I also announced €2 million in capital funding to support Local Authority Dog Control Services and assist them in meeting increased demands on their services.
I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues across Government to improve outcomes in relation to Dog Control in Ireland.
