asked the Minister for the Environment the number of local authorities who made an application for finance for dog control units; the amount of allocation to each local authority in 1985 and 1986; and the number of current applications under investigation.

Since 1978, 29 local authorities have applied to my Department under the scheme introduced in that year for recoupment of 50 per cent of their expenditure on approved projects for the control of stray dogs.

The projects involved ranged from the provision of animal shelters and collection services to the recoupment of financial contributions to other bodies, usually the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The following payments were made under this scheme in 1985 and 1986.

1985

1986

One application in respect of expenditure incurred during 1986 is being investigated at present.