Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 March 2019
1221. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the most recent tender issued by a local authority (details supplied) regarding operating its dog pound and warden service; when the local authority will reopen a tender process for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14018/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities have responsibility for operating and managing dog control and licensing services in their administrative areas. This includes the management of dog pounds and shelters and my Department has no involvement in this process.
However, enquiries have been made by my Department with the local authority concerned. It tendered for the provision of a dog pound and dog warden services on its own behalf and on behalf of some other local authority areas in March 2017. Each of those local authorities then put their own individual contract in place. The local authority referenced put in place a contract for one year from 1 July 2017 with an option to extend for a further three periods of one year each (a maximum of four years). The local authority has confirmed that its contract has been extended to 30 June 2019 and that a decision on a further extension will be made shortly.
