Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2015
197. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of public funding that has been provided to An Taisce, each year, in the past five years; if he will provide details of the way this public funding is spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7492/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra198. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of public funding that has been spent by An Taisce, each year, in the past five years, in the act of legal challenges, judicial reviews, and so on, against State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7493/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra199. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that public funds may be used to obstruct State agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7494/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 197 to 199, inclusive, together.
A total of €3.78 million, as set out in the following table, has been provided by my Department to An Taisce over the past five years.
DECLG Funding to An Taisce
|
Source |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
Total |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
DECLG Vote |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
275,492 |
275,492 |
|
Environment Fund |
834,424 |
766,014 |
753,200 |
736,800 |
415,000 |
3,505,438 |
|
Total |
834,424 |
766,014 |
753,200 |
736,800 |
690,492 |
3,780,930 |
This funding was used primarily to support a range of environmental activities and public awareness initiatives, including the National Spring Clean initiative; a contribution to the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) National Litter League; the Green Schools initiative; implementation of the Bathing Water Quality Regulations; and the Blue Flag Awards. Funding also supported an All-Ireland Clean Coast Symposium; provision of Merit Awards to heighten awareness of coastal amenities and encourage participation in Coastcare groups; and raising awareness of marine environmental issues.
The funding provided also supported An Taisce in building an effective capacity to engage in the policy formulation aspect of the planning process in accordance with its prescribed role. An Taisce is specifically precluded, however, from using this funding, which totalled €150,000 over the five years concerned, in relation to participation in individual planning applications.
