asked the Minister for the Environment the county and borough councils with dog-pounds; and if he will provide funds for the same facility in County Donegal.

The ordinary pounds operated by local authorities are not generally regarded as suitable for the holding of dogs. Homes or shelters for stray and unwanted dogs and cats may be provided by local authorities with the aid of grants under a scheme operated by my Department and presumably the Deputy is referring to this scheme. Under this scheme, local authorities may be recouped 50 per cent of their expenditure on the provision or the operation and maintenance of existing shelters or homes. The only such shelters provided by local authorities, so far, are in Counties Wicklow and Long-ford, but I understand that a number of other local authorities are in the process of providing such facilities.

If Donegal County Council decide to provide a home for stray or unwanted dogs it will be open to them to apply to my Department for the relevant grant. Such an application would receive sympathetic consideration.