asked the Minister for the Environment if financial provision has been made in 1984 to enable local authorities to undertake a programme of dog control.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dog Control.
6.
In 1984 a provision of £89,000 has been made for the scheme of grants under which my Department recoup 50 per cent of the expenditure of planning authorities on approved projects for the provision of dog shelters, or in assisting others in their provision and operation. The scheme is intended to encourage planning authorities to avail of their discretionary statutory powers under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 and 1976, to provide such facilities.
Local authorities have no powers to control dogs, the existing powers in this regard being vested in the Garda. An interdepartmental committee was set up by my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, to look into the stray dogs problem and to make recommendations on any new legislation required, the financial and personnel resources necessary for implementation of a dog control scheme, and the method of funding. This committee presented their report recently and the action to be taken on their recommendations is now being considered.
The Minister will be aware that in Dublin county it is practically impossible to rear sheep any more. Unfortunately sheep rearing is a thing of the past even in the Dublin mountains because stray dogs make their way out there from the Dublin sprawl. The Minister will also be aware of the need for urgent action in the area of dog control. When does the Minister anticipate that action will be taken in the light of this report? Will it be in time for next year's lambing season?
I think it will. Deputy Power put down this question and we asked the IFA to make some contribution towards the running and operation of this scheme. The county manager has been informed that there will be no contribution forthcoming from the people who would have a vested interest in this. This is regrettable.
Can the Minister say how many local authorities availed of grants under this scheme?
I do not have the information, but I will supply it later.
Would the Minister agree that most local authorities, including my own, would find it very difficult to provide 50 per cent of the grant at a time when funds are so restricted? This contribution is preventing local authorities from going ahead with this necessary scheme.
As I said, the Kildare County Manager asked the IFA in that county to make a contribution and to date that has not been forthcoming. In the interests of the people involved this help should be forthcoming. The local authority will make their contribution if the community are willing to do likewise.
If they have the money.