Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 1996

Vol. 463 No. 3

Written Answers. - Pollution Prevention.

Dermot Ahern

Ceist:

191 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment the EU funds, if any, that are available in order to prevent pollution from watercourses directly caused by public authority landfill sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6322/96]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

The current community support framework provides for a Solid Waste Management Sub-Programme within the Operational Programme for Environmental Services. While this makes EU co-financing available for hazardous waste infrastructure, waste management planning and infrastructure for waste recovery-recycling, it does not extend to the remediation of municipal landfill sites.

The Cohesion Fund provides co-financing for environmental projects of appropriate scale in relation to stated objectives of EU policy. As envisaged under the National Plan 1994-1999, this assistance will be directed in Ireland principally at water and sewerage treatment projects.