Vol. 561 No. 4
433 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the report, Health Effects from Incineration and Landfill, has been produced by the Health Research Board; if this report which was commissioned in the summer of 2001 has yet been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4267/03]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 177 of 4 February. The study report will be published very shortly.
434 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his Department will be providing finance in respect of the regional waste management plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4268/03]
A scheme of capital grant assistance to support investment in waste management infrastructure was launched in 2002. This grant scheme is primarily aimed at high in waste hierarchy recycling infrastructure that is provided for under, or consistent with the objectives of, local and regional waste management plans. Eligible infrastructure includes civic amenity sites and other bring facilities, as well as materials recovery and biological treatment facilities.
On 7 November I announced an initial allocation of over €14 million in grant assistance in respect of 55 local authority recycling projects. I expect to announce further such grant allocations, to both public and private projects, over the course of this year.
In addition to this capital grants scheme, my Department provides grant assistance towards procurement and planning costs incurred by local authorities in respect of the provision of regional waste facilities through public private partnership arrangements. To date over €8 million has been allocated in this regard.
