Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 July 2026
50. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason he is not introducing a cap on the number of breeding dogs a dog breeding establishment can have on site in his review of the Dog Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52306/26]
View answer57. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is considering a cap on the number of breeding females a dog breeder can keep to limit puppy farming and to ensure legislative alignment with the North; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52288/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 57 together.
In order to bring a coherent approach to dog control, policy and legislative responsibility under both the Control of Dogs Act 1986 and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 transferred to my Department last year. In both cases, Local Authorities retain responsibility for all operational and enforcement matters.
In relation to dog breeding establishments, I am pleased to confirm that the Dog Breeding Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2026 is being actively progressed. The Bill currently has seventeen Heads and addresses three broad areas: welfare and breeding standards, sales and record-keeping, and administration and enforcement.
Regarding the question of a cap on the number of breeding females, I have not included a hard legislative cap on the total number of breeding females at a dog breeding establishment in the present draft Heads of Bill. Legal advice indicates that there are difficulties with such an approach. There are also practical issues that would have to be explored further. My Department is considering it further.
The Bill addresses concerns about excessive numbers through other means. For the first time, breeding establishments will be legally required to employ a minimum of one full-time staff member for every 20 breeding dogs on the premises, ensuring animals receive proper daily care and attention.
A strengthened improvement notice regime will explicitly empower authorised persons to require a reduction in the number of dogs on premises where welfare concerns arise.
Local authorities will retain the ability to set conditions on the number of breeding females at an establishment as part of the registration process, and this avenue remains open.
