Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 July 2025
120. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update in relation to the €2 million allocated in 2024 for the resourcing of dog warden services; if the money has been drawn down by local authorities; the number of new warden posts that were filled with this fun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38287/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom 1 June 2025, all policy and legislative responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts transferred to my Department from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG). However, local authorities have responsibility for all operational matters under the Acts. Under the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities have the power to appoint dog wardens, issue dog licenses, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on -the-spot fines and take court proceedings against dog owners, where appropriate.
Prior to 2025, DRCDG did not provide funding to local authorities to employ dog wardens. Income to support local authority Dog Control has been sourced in a number of ways, primarily through dog license fees and local authority own resources, with a nominal amount from fixed charge notices. Section 15 of the Control of Dogs Act stipulates that a local authority must employ at least one dog warden.
In July 2024, funding of €2 million annually was announced for local authorities to support the resourcing of dog warden services from 2025. The funding is intended as a support for the hiring of up to 40 additional dog wardens and does not necessarily provide the full cost of employment. This funding recognises the increased demands in the area of dog control and the need to ensure resources on the ground to enforce the ban on XL Bully type dogs.
To date, funds have been provided to 30 local authorities to support the resourcing of additional dog warden positions from 2025. I am aware that recruitment for dog wardens is underway in several local authorities, however, the final number of appointments is not yet available. Local authorities are to submit a progress report to my Department 12 months after acceptance of the additional funding.
Statistics in respect of a range of the dog control responsibilities of local authorities are published annually on Gov.ie. Information up to and including 2023, including numbers of dog wardens, by county and in tabular form, is available on the dog control statistics page on gov.ie (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/collections/dog-control-statistics/). The 2024 dog control statistics have been requested from local authorities and will be published on gov.ie once available. The 2025 dog control statistics will not be available until next year.
|
Local Authority |
2025 Contribution Provided - € |
|
Carlow County Council |
50,000 |
|
Cavan County Council |
50,000 |
|
Clare County Council |
50,000 |
|
Cork City Council |
100,000 |
|
Cork County Council |
100,000 |
|
Donegal County Council |
50,000 |
|
Dublin City Council |
100,000 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council |
100,000 |
|
Fingal County Council |
100,000 |
|
Galway City Council |
50,000 |
|
Galway County Council |
50,000 |
|
Kerry County Council |
50,000 |
|
Kildare County Council |
100,000 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
50,000 |
|
Laois County Council |
50,000 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
50,000 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
100,000 |
|
Longford County Council |
50,000 |
|
Louth County Council |
50,000 |
|
Mayo County Council |
50,000 |
|
Meath County Council |
100,000 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
50,000 |
|
Offaly County Council |
50,000 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
50,000 |
|
Sligo County Council |
50,000 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
100,000 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
50,000 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
50,000 |
|
Wexford County Council |
50,000 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
50,000 |
