Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 9 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 5

Written Answers. - Animal Welfare.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

103 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will give details of his responsibility in relation to wild cats in Dublin suburban areas; if he makes grant assistance to an organisation (details supplied) or other groups involved in controlling the issue; if he will involve his Department in the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26574/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

Section 35 of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, empowers me to make regulations to extend certain provisions of that Act to other species of domesticated animals, and such animals could include cats. I have no proposals to make such regulations.

There are no funds available to me for grants for animal welfare purposes. I am aware that, following approaches to his Department, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Develop ment has given grant assistance to a number of welfare organisations in the past.