234. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the implementation of the Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010, since 1 January 2012; particularly in reference to the regulation of dog breeding establishments by local authorities; the number of investigations into alleged puppy farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6367/15]

The implementation of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 is a matter for local authorities. Welfare standards regarding dog breeding establishments ha ve been provided for through Guidelines issued by my Department to coincide with the commencement of the Act on 1 January 2012 . Each local authority is responsible for monitoring these standards in its functional area. My Department publishes data annually concerning the dog control functions of local authorities, including information on the number of dog breeding establishments registered by each local authority, and information on implementation of the Act, including enforcement activity under the Act.

Both the data published by my Department concerning dog breeding establishments, as well as the Guidelines regarding the welfare of dogs in dog breeding establishments, are available at http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/DogControl.