Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 May 2018
197. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the €11 million allocated to address environmentally degraded landfill sites as outlined in budget 2018; the planned number to be addressed in 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent; the way in which the moneys were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24225/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department has allocated funding for 18 sites across 12 Local Authority areas from the Landfill Remediation Programme 2018. It is proposed to progress the remediation of each of these sites during the current year. To date, just over €5m has been spent on 4 sites in 3 Local Authority areas. Major remediation works have been undertaken on two sites; Kerdiffstown Landfill in Kildare and Tymoole in Meath. Two other sites, Gowran and Ballyragget, both in Kilkenny have submitted Certification of Authorisation applications to the EPA in order to progress.
My department is in on-going discussions with the local authorities to ensure that the allocations made will be utilised during the year, and the sites identified which require funding in 2018 are progressed on schedule. Any surplus will be allocated to other sites identified to progress their investigations in preparation for full remediation.
My department continues to work with the Waste Management Planning Lead Authorities to develop a long-term plan for the remediation of other sites in need of attention around the country.
