Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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2061.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline her Department’s provision for the additional funding and resources of veterinary services by local authorities to implement the XL Bully ban given that all current local authority vets will transfer to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine by January 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35687/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Discussions are ongoing in relation to the proposed transfer of the Local Authority Veterinary Service and certain functions to the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM).

My Department and the Department of Agriculture are in contact regarding the possible impact this may have on my Departments Dog Control responsibilities including any potential impact on any functions in the context of the forthcoming XL Bully Ban.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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2062.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline any guidance provided to local authorities by her Department on the use of privately contracted veterinary services in the implementation of the new XL Bully ban; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35688/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I recently announced a ban on XL Bully dogs in the interest of public safety following a number of recent horrific attacks. Subsequently, an Implementation Team for the XL Bully regulations was established by the chair of the Dog Control Stakeholder Group, retired Deputy Garda Commissioner Mr. John Twomey, to support the development of the regulations. Local authority interests are represented on the group through the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA).

The LGMA representative has engaged with the Chief Executives in local authorities confirming that the primary responsibility for the application and enforcement of these regulations will rest with local authorities as per its functions under the Control of Dogs Acts.

Where a person does not hold a valid Certificate of Exemption after the 1st February 2025 or have proof of application for same, the dog will be seized and thereafter maybe euthanised by a veterinary officer on behalf of the local authority.

Local Authorities have commenced planning for the implementation of these regulations and documentation to support the process will issue from my Department shortly.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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2063.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reasons no representative of local authorities sits on the Dog Control Stakeholder Group, given they are currently tasked solely with implementation of both the new XL Bully ban and the implementation of legislation on dog breeding; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35689/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In March 2024, I announced the establishment of a high level stakeholder group to consider and make recommendations to strengthen policy in relation to dog control issues. The group is independently chaired by retired Deputy Garda Commissioner Mr. John Twomey and is comprised of members with a broad range of expertise.

Local Authority interests are represented on the group through the City and County Managers Association (CCMA). In addition, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) have been assisting the Chair of the Stakeholder Group on the Implementation Team for the XL Bully regulations. This team have been working over the last number of weeks to support the development of the regulations.

The stakeholder group have been tasked with considering the policy and legislative matters under the remit of my Department, specifically the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. Considerations will include all relevant elements of the legislation, including enforcement and the powers currently assigned to Dog Wardens.

The work of the stakeholder group is complex in nature requiring full consideration of all aspects of both pieces of legislation under the remit of my Department and this will take some time.

Local Authorities have responsibility for all operational matters under the Control of Dogs Acts including licensing, enforcement and the issuing of fines. Local Authorities are also responsible for the recruitment of dog wardens. I was delighted to announce, together with my colleagues, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and Minister of State with Responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD, funding of €2 million for local authorities to support the resourcing of dog warden services from 2025. The funding recognises the increased demands in the area of dog control and the need to ensure resources on the ground to enforce the pending ban on XL Bully dogs.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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2064.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline guidance given by her Department on developing a service agreement between An Garda Síochána and local authorities on the seizure of XL Bully dogs; if a working group between the two bodies is in place to address the security issues and the safety of staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35690/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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It should be noted that while my Department has overall policy responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014, Local Authorities have responsibility for all operational matters under the Control of Dogs Acts.

Under the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities have the power to issue dog licenses, appoint dog wardens, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against dog owners, where appropriate.

Local authority dog warden services will be primarily responsible for the enforcement of the regulations and will be responsible for the initial accommodation of seized XL Bully dogs. It is envisaged that, where appropriate, local authority dog warden services will liaise with An Garda Síochána in the enforcement of the regulations, as is the current practice.

The Control of Dogs Act allows a member of the Garda Síochána to seize and detain any dog that appears to be a stray dog and they may enter any premises (other than a dwelling) for the purposes of such seizure and detention.

To support the work of dog wardens and to ensure consistency and a standardised approach to enforcement, my Department has provided funding towards the cost of the Dog Control Service National Training Programme 2024. The training commenced in April and the next module consists of 2 days of XL Bully identification training that includes a half day hands-on with dogs. The programme is voluntary, however all dog control personnel are actively encouraged to attend.

The County and City Management Association (CCMA) Dog Control Working Group developed the programme in association with my Department. This Working Group is chaired by a Local Authority Director of Services and includes Local Authority Veterinary Officers and Dog Wardens.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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2065.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on development of new legislation to transfer responsibility for the control of dog breeding local authorities to a Government Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35691/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Discussions are ongoing in relation to the proposed transfer of Local Authority Veterinary Service and certain functions to the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM).

My Department and the Department of Agriculture are in contact regarding the possible impact this may have on my Departments Dog Control responsibilities particularly as it relates to Dog Breeding Establishments. Officials will continue to engage on this matter as required.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I recently announced a ban on XL Bully dogs in the interest of public safety following a number of recent horrific attacks. The ban will be implemented in the following 2 stages.

From October 1st 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully dogs.

From February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’.

The regulation will detail a system of Certificates of Exemption for XL Bully owners who wish to keep their dogs, and there will be a 4 month period between the 1st October 2024 and the 31st January 2025, where these owners will be able to apply for a Certificate of Exemption in order to keep their XL Bully dogs.

For consistency across jurisdictions, Ireland will be using the physical conformation standard applied in both the UK and Northern Ireland. While there are a series of subjective criteria contained in this standard to support the identification of an XL Bully, there is one size criteria that is definitive. In order to be classified as an XL Bully type dog, the following height criteria will apply;

• An adult male dog, has a height of not less than 51cm (20 inches) as measured at the withers
• An adult female dog, has a height of not less than 48cm (19 inches) as measured at the withers

Details of the conformation standard and further information will be available on gov.ie shortly.