Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 October 2022
54. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that have been carried out to remove man-made waste from the rivers Liffey, Tolka and Dodder in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48755/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra55. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are measures in place along the rivers Liffey, Tolka and Dodder to prevent rubbish and general waste entering into Dublin Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48756/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 55 together. I propose to take Question Nos 54 and 55 together.
Under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution lies with local authorities.
It is a matter for each Local Authority to determine the most appropriate course of action to tackle litter pollution within the legislation provided. This includes determining the most appropriate staffing, public awareness, enforcement, infrastructure provision and clean-up arrangements in relation to litter, taking account of local circumstances and priorities.
My Department provides support to local authority efforts in tackling litter on a number of fronts primarily through the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI), which was introduced in 2017 to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, community groups and other State Agencies to tackling the problem of illegal dumping. Funding of over €12m has been provided by my Department under the Initiative, which has supported the delivery of over 1,250 projects nationwide. An allocation of €3 million was provided through the ADI in 2022.
Details of the specific actions undertaken in individual local authority areas should be sought from the relevant local authorities.
