Ivana Bacik
Question:104. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to improve repair and recycle services, respectively, in local authorities. [50776/23]
View answerTuesday, 21 November 2023
Questions (104)
Written answers
Local authorities play a key role in Ireland's transition to a circular economy. The Regional Waste Management Planning Offices are currently finalising a new National Waste Management Plan (NWMP), informed by, inter alia, the National Planning Framework. The Plan will set out the required actions at local and regional levels to deliver on the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE) and support Ireland's circular economy transition.
The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 strengthened provisions in relation to waste management plans by requiring waste management plans to include indicators and targets relating to the use of products and materials that have been re-used, re-manufactured or repaired. The new NWMP will contain targets for reuse, repair, resource consumption and recycling, and address measures such as the enhanced use of civic amenity sites as circular economy hubs.
My Department understands that the public consultation phase on the draft National Waste Management Plan closed on July 5. Over 380 submissions were received from a range of stakeholders and members of the public. A recommendation from the National Oversight Group to the City and County Managers' Association (CCMA) Executive on making the Final Plan was approved at the CCMA meeting on 3 November and it is expected that the plan will be launched in February 2024.