I propose to take Questions Nos. 481 and 482 together.
In March 2022, recognising the exceptional circumstances created by the war in Ukraine and the many refugee families with children from Ukraine seeking immediate refuge in Ireland and elsewhere in the EU, my Department similar to other Member States, introduced specific emergency measures to support such Ukrainian refugees travelling with their pets. These exceptional measures were accompanied by increased controls to ensure that the health and welfare of Irish pets and humans were protected.
The Department’s veterinary services took steps to control the entry of these animals, check for compliance and in the context of supporting the families, sought to bring these animals into compliance with the legislative travel requirements, to protect public health and our domestic animal population.
In the period since March 2022, my Department has spent €815,586.34 on a series of measures controlling the risk associated with pets coming with their owners as refugees from Ukraine and in supporting Ukrainian refugees to have their pets compliant with the animal health requirements. All special emergency arrangements ceased from 1st July 2023. The necessary measures included, as necessary to specific cases, microchipping of animals, providing tapeworm treatment and rabies vaccination for pets, placing pets in isolation, etc.
The measures only related to pets travelling with their owners, was not directed to any relocation efforts and did not apply to international protection applicants,
