Vol. 461 No. 8
99 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment the steps, if any, he will take to promote a recycling policy on a national basis; the current recycling figures for each of the local authorities throughout the country in tabular form; the further steps, if any, he plans to take in 1996 to promote recycling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4000/96]
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 39 and 98 of 12 December 1995.
The Government strategy document "Recycling for Ireland" sets national targets and policies for waste recovery and recycling for the period to end 1999. I plan to publish a review and update of this national recycling strategy shortly.
Recycling efforts will be supported in the immediate future by the provisions of the Waste Management Bill, 1995 when enacted, by the mobilisation of the industry-led REPAK scheme and by new grant assistance under the waste management sub-programme of the Operational Programme for Environmental Services.
Detailed information is not available in my Department on the specific recycling activities of each local authority. The Environmental Protection Agency has commissioned a comprehensive project on waste statistics. This is intended to update and increase significantly the information available on waste activities generally.
