The environment fund was established in 2002 with the revenues obtained from the plastic bag levy and the landfill levy. The fund will be used to support a wide range of environmental activities and initiatives, such as: the development of waste recycling and recovery infrastructure and financial assistance towards the operation of such facilities; the establishment of a national waste prevention programme, a market development programme and a recycling consultative forum; a new waste education and awareness campaign; and better enforcement of environmental legislation.
Since November 2002, I have allocated over €22 million in capital grants towards 71 local authority recycling projects. To date, the Louth local authorities have received the following allocations: a sum of €1.035 million in respect of a civic amenity facility on Newry Road, Dundalk, and a sum of €187,000 in respect of the expansion and upgrading of the existing bring bank network. I intend to announce further allocations later in the year as local authorities develop proposals.