Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 5

Written Answers. - Environmental Policy.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

125 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the total amount of money raised to date through the plastic bag levy; the way in which this money has been allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16514/03]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Gallagher): Receipts from the plastic bag levy are remitted to the environment fund, which is also funded by the landfill levy. Environmental levy receipts to date, that is, to end May 2003, have amounted to €37 million, of which €12 million is in respect of the plastic bag levy, and €25 million for the landfill levy.

As stated in the reply to Question No. 450 of 13 May 2003, it is estimated that during 2003, environmental levy receipts will amount to €39 million, €11 million of which is in respect of the plastic bag levy and €28 million of which is in respect of the landfill levy. Together with €16 million carried over from 2002, it is estimated that in 2003, expenditure from the environment fund will amount to €55 million. The 2003 allocations from the environment fund provide for €30 million waste management capital grants, €17 million to be spent on current waste management and enforcement initiatives and €8 million on non-waste commitments, including pollution control, environmental awareness and the litter initiative.

Question No. 126 answered with Question No. 106.