Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2015
1024. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the development of a civic amenity site in north Kildare to provide adequate recycling services for the large towns and growing population of the constituency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21279/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the provisions of the Waste Management Act 1996, the preparation and adoption of a waste management plan, including in respect of infrastructure provision, is the statutory responsibility of the local authority or authorities concerned, and under section 60(3) of the Act I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.
Notwithstanding that, prior to the closure of the Waste Recycling Capital Grants Scheme under the NDP 2007-2013 on 12 September 2012 and the earlier Scheme from 2000-2006, my Department provided Capital Grant assistance to Local Authorities for the development of waste recycling infrastructure. Projects developed under the Schemes included bring banks, composting facilities, materials recovery facilities, civic amenity sites and biological treatment facilities.
These schemes have contributed to the development of waste recycling infrastructure in Ireland which, in the period from 2001 to 2010, saw the number of Civic Amenity Facilities rise from 53 to 107 and the number of Bring Banks rise from 1,436 to 1,922. The latest data available from the National Waste Report 2012 shows that the number of Civic Amenity Sites in the State has now reached 118, two of which are in County Kildare.
As you may be aware, pressures on the Environment Fund due to falling revenues have increased steadily in recent years, requiring significant reductions in funding provision. Equally, increases to the rate of the landfill levy have succeeded in diverting significant volumes of waste from landfill. While this is delivering the appropriate environmental outcomes, when taken together with reduced plastic bag usage and associated reductions in plastic bag levy income, it presents very serious financial challenges for the Fund. Regrettably therefore, there is no funding available at present for capital expenditure on recycling facilities.
