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Illegal Dumping

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 January 2019

Thursday, 24 January 2019

Questions (33)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

33. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the steps he is taking to help county councils deal with incidents of illegal dumping and fly tipping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3407/19]

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Written answers

Illegal dumping is a matter of individual responsibility and compliance with the law. While enforcement action in this area is a matter for local authorities, my Department encourages a multi-facetted approach to tackling the problem, incorporating enforcement, public awareness and education and, as such, provides funding to support the activities of the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities of approximately €1 million per annum and of the network of local authority waste enforcement officers of approximately €7.4 million per annum. A 2019 anti-dumping initiative will be introduced to work in partnership with local authorities in identifying high risk or problem areas, developing appropriate enforcement responses and carrying out clean-up operations. Since 2017, funding of €3.3 million has been made available which has supported over 400 projects across all 31 local authority areas, remediating black spots and equipping local authority enforcement officers with the latest technologies available to support SMART enforcement of our waste laws.

The National Waste Enforcement Steering Committee has identified dealing with sites containing illegally deposited waste as a national waste enforcement priority for 2019. Accordingly, my Department has instructed local authorities to detect such sites and to initiate appropriate enforcement responses. I am prepared to provide assistance both in terms of enforcement costs and site solutions to local authorities who identify and address these sites in 2019.

In recognition of the particular difficulties border counties have experienced in dealing with diesel laundering waste dumping, my Department continues to reimburse the clean-up costs associated with this criminal activity.

Question No. 34 answered with Question No. 32.
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