Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 2

Written Answers. - Research and Development on Cleaner Production.

Séamus Hughes

Question:

18 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for the Environment the amount of money spent in 1995 on research and development in the area of cleaner production in view of the commitment in the Operational Programme for Environmental Services, 1994 - 1999; and the amount of money that will be spent in 1996. [3344/96]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

There was limited activity in 1995 under the cleaner production measure of the Operational Programme for Environmental Services, 1994-1999. One project, costing £46,680, commenced and an instalment of £7,000 was paid on the contract.

A sum of £610,000 has been provided in my Department's Vote for 1996 for environmental monitoring research and development under the operational programme, and matching funds will be provided by public and private sector project participants. A breakdown of funding between the environmentally sustainable resource management and cleaner production measures will be determined in consultation with the operational programme monitoring committee. Indicative investment under both measures is identified in the financial tables of the operational programme, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library.