Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2017
235. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address the concerns that the latest change in bin charges will see incidents of illegal dumping increase in the countryside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31811/17]
View answerFlat rate fees for household waste collection will be phased out over the period autumn 2017 to autumn 2018 as customers renew or enter new contracts. It is worth noting that the measure is not ‘new’ for the more than half of kerbside household waste customers who are already on an incentivised pricing plan, i.e. a plan which contains a per lift or weight based charge element.
To ensure the best environmental and economic outcomes are achieved Government sets the waste management policy and provides a robust legislative framework, this is overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency and the local authorities. The waste industry’s role is largely that of the service providers competing to deliver services to businesses and households in compliance with environmental law. At the centre of the system is each citizen and household who have responsibility for the management and disposal of the waste that they generate.
Effective enforcement of waste legislation is vital for the credibility of our systems of waste management. The key legislative codes in combating litter and illegal dumping matters are the Litter Pollution Acts and the Waste Management Acts; in particular, section 32 of the Waste Management Act places the responsibility and a general duty of care on the holders of waste to ensure that it is managed in a manner that does not cause environmental pollution. In addition, section 34 of the Waste Management Act requires all bodies involved in the commercial collection of waste to have this activity authorised by a waste collection permit. Penalties available under the Waste Management Acts are substantial. Persons who are found to be responsible for, or involved in, the unauthorised disposal or collection of waste are liable to a Class A fine on summary conviction and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months, and to a maximum fine of €15 million on conviction on indictment and/or imprisonment for up to 10 years.
Waste enforcement is supported by state funding for waste enforcement officers. I have made €9 million available from the Environment Fund this year to support the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) and the recruitment and continued employment of a network of local authority waste enforcement officers. This investment is critical in tackling issues such as illegal dumping in local communities and in providing an enhanced response on the ground to other infractions of the waste code.
The Programme for Government contains a specific commitment to work with local authorities to tackle the problem of illegal dumping and to develop effective deterrents to discourage people from engaging in this anti-social behaviour. In accordance with this commitment, my Department developed an Anti-Dumping Initiative to work in partnership with local authorities and community organisations in identifying high risk or problem areas, developing appropriate enforcement responses and carrying out clean-up operations. In response to the hugely positive reaction from local authorities and communities since I launched this measure, I have made further funds available to support it. The initial allocation of €650,000 has been doubled with total funding of €1.3 million now being made available to support the clean-up of dumping black-spots and to target those who engage in this illegal practice.
