Vol. 446 No. 5
6 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment the grants which will be available to local authorities and other bodies to develop an effective recycling policy in 1995 and thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [550/94]
Wexford): The Operational Programme for Environmental Services 1995-1999, which will be published shortly, will include provision for an expenditure of some £20 million on municipal waste management measures to be cofinanced from the Structural Funds. The major part of this provision will be directed at improving recycling infrastructure.
The strategy document Recycling for Ireland also envisages a considerably increased contribution to recycling activities from relevant private sector interests on the basis of the principle of producer responsibility. IBEC has accepted the document's invitation to Irish business and industry to consider the development of voluntary arrangements in this area and has begun work to this end.
Does the Minister envisage financial assistance for the recycling of segregated materials, given the frequency with which an economic market cannot be found for these materials and bearing in mind the cost of managing a landfill site in the event that this material is dumped there? Will the Minister agree there is scope for grant aid on an ongoing basis to permit segregated materials to be economically recycled?
(Wexford): It is envisaged that the major proportion of the £20 million will be made available to provide recycling facilities on landfill sites. It is expected that in 1995, £2 million will be made available; in 1996, £3.5 million will be made available; in 1997, £5 million will be made available and so on as local authorities require it. It is envisaged in the recycling strategy that 20 civic amenity sites will be provided in the short term and 70 such sites in the medium term. It must be taken into account that a number of local authorities have availed of the grant schemes that have been in operation for the last five years — £2.5 million has been allocated to local authorities, community groups and the private sector for such developments. Some local authorities are well in hand with developments while others are lagging behind. We hope that, with co-financing from the Structural Funds, a number of local authorities will quickly become involved.
Is it the case that a very substantial proportion of segregated waste finds its way back to landfill sites because of lack of a market outlet for the material to be recycled? Will he agree that unless there is a procedure to ensure an alternative recycling market for the volumes that are segregated, this policy may be counter-productive?
(Wexford): I suppose it is true that in some areas there is a scarcity of markets while in other areas, such as glass and cans, the recycling strategy has been highly successful. We are in the early stages of developing the recycling strategy. Markets are increasing, but obviously it will take much time and investment by local authorities and the private sector to seek out new markets.
Will the Minister encourage the Minister for Finance to amendlegislation to allow for grant aid by Forbairt towards the development of recycling plants, which at present are excluded from grant aid? Would he agree that with greater private involvement the number of markets could be increased? The Minister is no doubt aware there is a direct connection between the availability of, say bottle banks and the amount of glass recycled. There was an increase in this area from 7 per cent to 29 per cent, with a corresponding increase in the number of bottle banks from 20 to 250. The more collection points available the more likely the public will co-operate in recycling. Will the Minister encourage local authorities to promote bottle banks in suitable locations in each of their areas to provide for the recycling of items such as glass, which is capable of 100 per cent recycling?
(Wexford): I agree there is need for an increased number of bottle banks, not only at landfill sites but in strategic areas and major centres of population. There has been much discussion with local authorities in recent months, particularly in the lead-up to the launch of the recycling strategy, and they have been asked to take into account the need for extra bottle banks. Discussions also took place with Rehab and Kerbside with a view to giving grant aid for the provision of these facilities. There has been an increase in the number of such facilities and we hope that in the coming year there will be a further substantial increase in the number of bottle banks, cloth banks and other such facilities that are required not only in Dublin but in other parts of the country. We will be working very closely with local authorities, community groups, Rehab and Kerbside in this regard.
Will the Minister accept that the target set in the recycling strategy, particularly in terms of household waste — 20 per cent — puts great pressure on local authorities? Is he aware that within the resources available to them local authorities will be unable to meet that target? For example, in my county of Wicklow the recycling strategy and waste management plan that has been drawn up is a progressive one, but the target is set at only 10 per cent. Will the Minister ensure that local authorities are in a position to achieve the targets? Is he aware that without increased resources and a different approach in legislation to recycling, local authorities will be unable to meet the targets? Will the Minister adopt an interdepartmental approach on this matter? Recently, when we discussed a Bill on milk supply, I raised the issue of the use of milk bottles rather than unrecyclable material and was told that is not the concern of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry. How does the Minister of State propose to get other Government Departments and local authorities to meet the aspirations outlined in this document?
(Wexford): The Deputy has asked a number of questions. The recycling targets are ambitious but the local authorities will not be the only key players in implementing the new strategy; business, industry and the public will also have a major role to play. Up until now no European Union funding was available for the redevelopment of recycling facilities; £20 million co-finance is now available, most of which will be made available to the local authorities to help them to achieve the targets. These are ambitious but achieveable.
In regard to the recycling campaign, is the Minister of State aware that south Tipperary is a leader in the field? I had the honour of launching the extension of our campaign two weeks ago. Not only have we the greatest number of bottle banks, but we also have delivered compost units for domestic waste to 1,000 homes. Recognising that such an initiative is a drain on resources does the Minister of State have any plans to make further funds available to local authorities? Does he accept that we need the co-operation of consumers? Does his Department have any plans to launch a recycling campaign within schools to educate young people in particular to use bottle banks?
(Wexford): I appreciate that south Tipperary plays a prominent role. Recently the Department announced that grants are available. I am sure south Tipperary will apply for an allocation and that its application will be considered as favourably as possible. The Department is at present preparing a major educational programme for schools and environmental services such as ENFO.
I do not accept that recycling is the only element. I wish to get to the nub of the problem. Will the Minister of State ensure that those who devise reusing or recycling strategies or use compost units to reduce waste, either in the public or private sectors, will be entitled to grant aid equivalent to the full cost of landfill, including transport, treatment, monitoring and after care? I have asked the Minister of State's senior colleague repeatedly to tell us what is being done to ensure that the producers of waste will be obliged to face up to their responsibilities——
The Deputy is going way beyond the boundaries of this question, which relates to the grants available to local authorities to develop recycling strategies.
It relates to the cost involved.
(Wexford): The Waste Bill——
Which is overdue.
(Wexford):——which will be presented to the House shortly will deal with that matter comprehensively. As part of the recycling strategy the local authorities will operate a scheme of credits in relation to material diverted from landfill sites towards recycling——
At the same rate?
(Wexford): I am not saying that. Discussions are taking place with the local authorities to see how this can be operated efficiently and properly.
But not at the same rate.
