Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2018
81. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has examined the successful campaign by students in a school (details supplied) to make the school plastics free; his plans to use this as a model for all schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22461/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI commend the campaign by the students of the school in question to help make their own school plastics free.
In terms of national policy, my Department has published a National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development which aims to ensure that education contributes to sustainable development by equipping learners with the relevant knowledge, the key dispositions and skills and the values that will motivate and empower them throughout their lives to become informed active citizens who take action for a more sustainable future.
I understand that my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment is working with Local Authorities to roll out an education programme on the recycling of all waste, including plastics. This Recycling Ambassadors Programme will comprise of 650 workshops on how to recycle properly for community groups and workplaces and information on this programme can be found at www.voiceireland.org/rap/.
The EU Commission published its European Strategy for Plastics in January 2018. This strategy focuses on plastics production and use and sets a goal of ensuring all plastic packaging produced in the EU is recyclable by 2030. I also understand that my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment is working with the EU and other Member States to see how this country can play its part in meeting the ambition of this Strategy.
