2057. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the forthcoming ban on XL Bully dogs; how these dogs will be classified; the agency responsible for enforcing this ban; how an owner could qualify for a certificate of exemption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35518/24]

I recently announced a ban on XL Bully dogs in the interest of public safety following a number of recent horrific attacks. The ban will be implemented in the following 2 stages.

From October 1st 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully dogs.

From February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’.

The regulation will detail a system of Certificates of Exemption for XL Bully owners who wish to keep their dogs.  There will be a 4 month period between the 1st October 2024 and the 31st January 2025, where these owners will be able to apply for a Certificate of Exemption in order to keep their XL Bully dogs.

For consistency across jurisdictions, Ireland will be using the physical conformation standard applied in both the UK and Northern Ireland. While there are a series of subjective criteria contained in this standard to support the identification of an XL Bully, there is one size criteria that is definitive. In order to be classified as an XL Bully type dog, the following height criteria will apply;

• An adult male dog, has a height of not less than 51cm (20 inches) as measured at the withers

• An adult female dog, has a height of not less than 48cm (19 inches) as measured at the withers

The withers, in relation to a dog, means the highest point of the body of the dog that is immediately behind the neck of the dog.

The application process for a Certificate of Exemption will be managed by Local Authorities. Details of the conformation standard and further information on the criteria to qualify will be available on gov.ie shortly. However, as I previously announced in July, all XL Bully owners will be required to License, Microchip and Neuter their dogs.

The regulation will be enforced within the framework of the primary legislation - in this case, the Control of Dogs Act 1986 and 2014.   In this context,  local authorities, through the Dog Warden Service will be responsible for its enforcement.

Local authorities are also responsible for the recruitment of dog wardens.  I was delighted to announce together with my colleagues, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and Minister of State with Responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD, funding of €2 million for local authorities to support the resourcing of dog warden services from 2025. The funding recognises the increased demands in the area of dog control and the need to ensure resources on the ground to enforce the pending ban on XL Bully dogs.