Local Authorities to receive more funding to tackle illegal dumping across Ireland
May 29th, 2017
The Department of Climate Action and the Environment is set to provide an additional €650,000 in funding to tackle illegal dumping following a phenomenal demand for more support from local authorities.
The additional funding will support the second phase of a major anti-illegal dumping initiative to support community-led projects launched earlier this year by Minister Denis Naughten.
The Minister already allocated €650,000 for local authorities and communities to combat illegal dumping in March this year, although approved projects need to be completed before payments are made.
The funding is to be used to clean-up dumping black-spots and target those responsible using the likes of CCTV and drone surveillance.
In 2015, almost 90 per cent of all 58,707 environmental complaints received by local authorities concerned waste issues such as fly-tipping and illegal dumping. It is estimated that 2.5 tonnes of waste are dumped illegally every hour in Ireland.
Announcing the new funding, Minister Naughten said that Ireland’s natural environment, towns and cities will no longer be “dumping grounds” for people with “no respect for their environment or their neighbours”.
“The battle is well and truly on to catch and prosecute those who are committing environmental and economic treason by dumping waste illegally across our countryside, roads and rivers,” he added.
A total of 85 projects from across the 26 counties were approved for funding under the first phase of the scheme. A range of clean-up and restorative projects led by community, environmental and sporting groups have also been approved for funding.
“People joined by pride in place and respect for their environment have come together to reclaim their streets, woodlands, bridges and parks and to put in place the measures that will catch and punish those responsible for blighting them with filth,” said Mr Naughten.
Further information on the initiative is available from the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities and from the Environment Section of each local authority.
Illegal dumping has become a high-profile problem in recent months, with increased media reporting highlighting the ongoing problem.
The Irish Times’ Report Illegal Dumping project has received almost 250 alerts about incidents of illegal dumping in 16 counties since the project launched in October 2016.
[x_author title=”About the Author”]
Friends of the Earth, An Taisce, and Stop Climate Chaos lead the charge to amend the Climate Bill before it Read more
TV channel ARTE are looking for Irish people to take part in a programme which will air during the COP21 Read more
The Environmental Pillar wishes to make clear to consumers and public that it rejects the awarding of an environmental certificate Read more
The environmental and heritage group are rejecting calls from the Irish Farming Association to shorten the hedge cutting times. An Read more
