Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 November 2023
42. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to allocate additional resources to local authorities for the monitoring and enforcement of existing air quality legislation and to take the necessary steps to increase penalties for breaches of the forgoing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51496/23]
View answerMy Department has worked with the Local Government Management Agency to develop the business case for an enhanced enforcement structure to support the provision of improved co-ordination, expertise and advice to underpin consistent implementation of all air quality legislation across the country. I have made funding of up to €3 million available to support this regional enforcement group and I expect the business case to be submitted formally to the sector for approval in the coming months.
In the absence of a co-ordination body, officials from my Department have been engaging directly with enforcement personnel on the ground, developing guidance and training, holding workshops, providing funding, and supporting the sharing of best practice in relation to a range of air quality legislative obligations that are under the remit of the Local Authorities. I have provided grant funding of over €600,000 to support enforcement efforts on the ground, including a solid fuels sampling programme and an online sales pilot project.
My Department is also developing new legislation to strengthen the enforcement powers of the local authorities to support increased compliance with the regulations.
