Ciarán Cuffe
Ceist:1587 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the budgetary adjustments or cutbacks which will affect capital and current spending on recycling. [17207/02]
Written Answers. - Waste Management.
A scheme of capital grant assistance in respect of waste recovery infrastructure was announced in March 2002. Under this scheme, relevant capital expenditure incurred since the beginning of the year is eligible for support. More than 260 grant applications were received in my Department by 31 May, the deadline for applications, and a first round of grant allocations will be announced shortly. Funding will be available to meet anticipated demand arising in respect of 2002.
My Department does not incur current expenditure in respect of recycling activities. Repak Limited subsidises operational costs involved in the recovery of packaging waste. I understand that Repak incurred expenditure of about €9 million in 2001 on direct recycling supports, and that this level of expenditure is likely to increase during 2002. This is in addition to substantial ongoing support by local authorities for recycling activities generally.
Question No. 1588 answered with Question No. 1472.
Bernard Allen
Ceist:1589 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the types of materials he has banned or plans to ban from landfill sites; when he proposes to implement such a ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17243/02]
An Agreed Programme for Government states that the national recycling effort will be assisted by the banning of certain types of waste from landfill.
The Waste Management (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 2002, which I made in July, prohibit the landfilling of liquid waste and certain hazardous and infectious wastes in new landfills from July 2001, in hazardous landfills from July 2002 and in all landfills from July 2009.
The regulations also prohibit the landfilling of whole tyres in new, or hazardous, landfill facilities from July 2003, and of shredded tyres from July 2006. These dates are extended to July 2009 in the case of existing landfill facilities. I have received proposals from Irish Tyre Industry Association for a producer responsibility initiative for the collection and treatment of used tyres, and will keep the prohibition dates under review in the context of the implementation of producer responsibility in the sector.
In addition, I am finalising new waste management packaging regulations which will prohibit the landfilling of recyclable packaging waste.
When addressing the inaugural meeting of the National Construction and Demolition Waste Council in June, I indicated that the widespread disposal to landfill of unsegregated construction and demolition waste must cease. I will give consideration to this issue over the coming months in parallel with the work of the council.