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Illegal Dumping

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 March 2018

Wednesday, 28 March 2018

Ceisteanna (239)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

239. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an impact statement has been commissioned in relation to the likely increase in illegal dumping as a result of the increase in bin charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14373/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Charges applied by waste management companies are matters for those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation. In terms of environmental legislation, the charges applied should encourage householders to divert waste from the residual or general waste bin. For example, it would be expected that charges for the general waste bin would be higher than charges, if any, applied to the recycle bin.

The response from community and voluntary groups across the country to my Department’s anti-dumping initiative demonstrates that the vast majority of our people treasure and respect our environment and continue to manage their waste responsibly.  That is why I have allocated €2 million to support the programme this year to build on the momentum that has now been created and to put an increased emphasis on identifying and initiating enforcement actions on those who facilitate the unauthorised movement and disposal of waste. My Department is also supporting the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities in commissioning a report on crime in the waste sector in Ireland including a root cause assessment of illegal dumping and best practice for outreach and prevention.  

Penalties for serious dumping offences provided for under the Waste Management Acts are substantial. Persons who are found to be responsible for, or involved in, the unauthorised disposal of waste are liable to a maximum fine of €5,000 on summary conviction and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months, and to a maximum fine of €15 million on conviction on indictment and/or imprisonment for up to 10 years.

It should also be noted that, under new bye-laws, local authorities are establishing registers which record the details of households which are using the services of an authorised waste operator (whether a kerbside collector, pay to use compactor or civic amenity facility). In gathering these details from service providers, local authorities may use this information to target households which appear not to be managing their waste correctly or using the services of an unauthorised operator.  This data will support a number of awareness, education and enforcement programmes already initiated by individual local authorities.

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