Fianna Fáil TD for Kerry, Michael Cahill has called for the government to waiver the fee for dog licences for senior citizens who are living on their own, and are over 70 years of age.

Deputy Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Callery to make a statement on the matter in a parliamentary question.

Minister Callery said that the government has set out how it intends to provide for an enhanced approach to dog control issues.

According to the minister, all legislation and policy in relation to the control of dogs will rest with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

He said: "Discussions are currently ongoing between my department and that department to implement this transfer of functions in a timely manner.

"In the meantime, I am fully committed to progressing the work in this area," he added.

Minister Callery noted that the last increase in dog licence fees took effect over 13 years ago, on January 1, 2012.

Dog licence fees since have remained at €20 for an individual dog licence, €140 for a lifetime licence, and €400 for a general dog licence.

The general licence covers an unspecified number of dogs in the one premises.

In other news, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association (INHFA) last week (March 26) submitted a petition to the European Parliament on the issue of dog control reform.

The petition, titled “Reform of dog control on our hills and farm lands', claims that dog attacks on sheep are “out of control”.

“Too many farmers are suffering from the devastation that is left behind from these attacks,” the petition said.

The document highlights how the killing of sheep in dog attacks are impacting the income and mental health of farmers.

“Nobody is held accountable and the dogs are still running free,” the INHFA said.