Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2012
472 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Communityand Local Government the measures he will bring forward during this term in relation tosustaining an eco-friendly environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32312/12]
View answerMy Department's overall goal is to support sustainable development which requires us to address a range of issues across its three pillars i.e. the environmental, economic and the social. Our Sustainable Future — A Framework for Sustainable Development for Ireland which was published in June 2012, provides a framework for the integration of sustainable development considerations across all sectors of society. It will also provide a platform for the advancement of the green economy in Ireland over the medium to longer term. Key areas covered in the Framework include sustainable consumption and production; conservation and management of natural resources; climate change and clean energy; sustainable agriculture; sustainable transport; social inclusion, sustainable communities and spatial planning; education, communication and behaviour change. Our Sustainable Future sets out 70 clear measures in regard to these policy areas along with associated responsibilities and timelines that will ensure we improve our quality of life for current and future generations. It will be a matter for individual sectors led by the relevant Departments to promote and co-ordinate delivery of measures in Our Sustainable Future in their respective areas. I will also chair a High-Level Inter-Departmental Group on Sustainable Development (HLGSD) which will coordinate and drive overall implementation. The HLGSD will report on progress to the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and the Green Economy, chaired by the Taoiseach. Our Sustainable Future and a summary of the document are available in electronic format in the Oireachtas library or can be downloaded from the Department’s website at www.environ.ie.
Key areas of activity for my Department in supporting environmental protection include the provision of €32 million in funding in 2012, largely to meet the cost of the important work of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland. In addition, the Environment Fund, financed from the landfill and plastic bag levies, will allow a further €79 million to be directed to key priority areas such as environmental enforcement, waste prevention, landfill remediation and recycling.
€331 million is being allocated in 2012 to support implementation of the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2013. This is required to expand infrastructural capacity and upgrade the water supply distribution network to tackle leakage. Some €40 million has been allocated to the Rural Water Programme this year, primarily to address drinking water quality issues in the group water sector and in smaller public schemes.
The Rural Development Programme also plays a significant role in addressing employment and quality of life issues in rural Ireland and some €97m is available through the LEADER programme in 2012.
