I propose to take Questions Nos. 1438, 1439, 1443 and 1444 together.
My Department does not provide funding to local authorities for the provision and maintenance of shelters for dogs. Under the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities are responsible for operating and managing dog control and licensing services in their administrative areas and my Department has no involvement in this process. Proceeds from the sale of licences, less the commission charged by An Post, are available to local authorities to assist in funding their dog control functions.
Certain statistics concerning local authority dog control functions are published on my Department’s website. These statistics include the number of dog licences issued per local authority area, as well as details of the aggregated income generated and expenditure incurred annually by each local authority in respect of their dog control activities. This information is currently available up to 201 4 at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/DogControl/.
The information sought in relation to the revenue generated from dog licence fees specifically and the rate of expenditure on dog pounds is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproport ionate amount of time and work. Details in respect of the number of unlicensed dogs is not available.