I propose to take Questions Nos. 1440 to 1442, inclusive, and 1446 together.
My Department has no direct role in the management or operation of local authority dog pounds. Under the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities are responsible for operating and managing dog control and licensing services in their administrative areas, including the management of dog pounds or shelters. Accordingly, the cost of operating and managing these pounds is a matter solely for local authorities and is one in which my Department has no role.
The enforcement of welfare standards regarding all animals, including dogs seized, accepted or detained under the Control of Dogs Acts, is a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 and my Department has no direct role in this regard.
Certain statistics concerning local authority dog control functions are published on my Department ’s website . These statistics include the number of rehomed or reclaimed dogs, as well as the number put to sleep by each local authority pound. This information is currently available up to 2014 at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/DogControl/.