This matter relates to the future of the Nenagh recycling scheme which has been in operation for approximately four years. It is a popular and successful scheme but its future appears to be in jeopardy. It was dependent on FÁS for funding the vast majority of its workers in partnership with the local authority. The scheme now finds that it is impossible to continue its relationship with FÁS and the local authority is unable to come up with the necessary funds to maintain it in its current form.
At present the scheme operates from the county council yard where the council has made available space and various buildings for the workers. The Department has provided grants to the scheme for machinery, including a baling machine, and I presumed this was an indication of the value the Department placed on the work being done by the Nenagh recycling scheme. It is run by dedicated volunteers who, as well as engaging in recycling, are also involved in educational work in schools, projects related to the tidy towns competition, horticultural ventures in Nenagh and general support of the community in changing its ways in terms of our waste management policy.
It is a local point but it also a global issue. I suspect that much lip service is being paid to the need to transfer from the use of landfill, on which we are currently 90 per cent dependent, to engaging in recycling to a much greater extent. If we are unable to support schemes such as this project, we are only paying lip service to this area. If the scheme goes, Tipperary (North Riding) County Council's recycling targets for this year will go with it and a successful recycling programme will disappear.
I am a member of Nenagh Urban District Council and also of Tipperary (North Riding) County Council and both bodies have provided some funds in their estimates for the continuation of the scheme. However, the amount falls far short of what is required this year. It was made clear by the county manager and the town clerk at discussions which have taken place at both bodies that unless funding was made directly available from the Department of the Environment and Local Government by way of a support grant this year at least, the scheme would be unable to continue. This is why I am appealing to the Minister and the Department to provide special funding this year to the local authority or directly to the recycling scheme to ensure that it continues given the Department's often stated policy of supporting recycling programmes.
A kerbside domestic composting scheme which is being promoted by Limerick Corporation has been supported by the Department of the Environment and Local Government. I am not sure under what heading this support was provided and perhaps the Minister could fill me in on those details. I am making an appeal on behalf of the recycling scheme. It appears that in a year or two it will be possible to support it through local authority initiatives and possibly in partnership with some commercial groups in the community. However, to ensure continuity is maintained and that the excellent work being carried out by this group goes on, I appeal to the Minister to respond positively to my pleas on this matter.
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. D. Wallace): I thank Senator O'Meara for raising this matter on the Adjournment.
Nenagh Recycling Limited is one of a number of joint venture companies established some years ago by Tipperary (North Riding) County Council to undertake and promote waste recycling in the country, on the basis of assistance from FÁS, the National Training and Employ ment Authority, under the community employment scheme initiative. The operational costs of this recycling scheme, including wages, are almost entirely funded by FÁS. I understand that the FÁS subvention will amount to over £112,000 during 1999.
Tipperary (North Riding) County Council has supported the operation of the project by providing facilities and equipment and by meeting certain overhead costs. My Department provided an European Regional Development Fund funded grant of over £30,000 towards the purchase of equipment on behalf of the scheme.
The primary purpose of the community employment programme is as a transitional programme to reintegrate long-term unemployed persons into open labour market jobs. Suitable CES projects would generally be those which can respond to a clearly identified community need and which also develop the skills of the participants.
In this regard, Nenagh Recycling Limited currently employs 15 staff, and has achieved the recovery of over 700 tonnes of recyclable materials from the household and commercial waste streams over the past two years. This is a creditable performance and, from an environmental point of view, it represents a useful contribution to the achievement of our national objectives in relation to the recovery and recycling of waste.
I understand that, arising from the ongoing restructuring of the community employment programme, to take account of the fall in unemployment levels and the need to better target available places, the continued availability of CES funding for this scheme from January 2000 may be in doubt. The operation of the community employment scheme is a matter for FÁS as part of its responsibilities under the Labour Services Act, 1987, and is not a matter in which I or my Department has any function. FÁS comes under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
However, it is not clear, on the basis of information currently available to me, that the position regarding FÁS involvement with this scheme has been finalised. There appears to be some uncertainty as to whether FÁS has been formally requested to continue support for Nenagh Recycling Limited or whether FÁS has taken a definitive position in relation to the issue. Accordingly, I intend to request Tipperary (North Riding) County Council, as the project's sponsors, to immediately clarify the current position in this regard with FÁS.
Obviously, I would be concerned in my own capacity that recycling activity in the Nenagh area should be maintained and developed. In 1998, the Minister for the Environment and I published a policy statement on waste management, Changing Our Ways. It highlighted the need to reduce our dependence on landfill, and set ambitious waste recovery and recycling targets. Tipperary (North Riding) County Council is currently involved in the development of a comprehensive waste management plan for the midlands region, which will seek to implement the objectives outlined in "Changing Our Ways". I expect the forthcoming regional waste management plan will address in detail the need for recycling services and infrastructure throughout the area and, as is the case in other regions, will provide for the segregated collection of recyclables and the development of civic amenity centres and materials recovery facilities.
In advance of the publication of the proposed regional waste management plan, I understand Tipperary (North Riding) County Council is currently considering proposals for future recycling initiatives in the Nenagh area. I will encourage the council to consider, in consultation with FÁS, the future role of Nenagh Recycling Limited in this context.
The Seanad adjourned at 9.35 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 9 December 1999.