Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Environment Fund was established by the Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001 and comprises revenue generated from levies that were introduced in respect of plastic bags - currently 22 cent - and waste sent to landfill sites - currently €75 a tonne. A sharp decline in landfill levy is projected from 2018 onwards, reflecting the commencement of the Dublin waste-to-energy Poolbeg incinerator and a significant reduction in landfill capacity with the necessary statutory consents to accept waste. I have approved allocations, totalling some €38.76 million from the Environment Fund for 2017, to fund such measures as the National Waste Prevention Programme, enforcement initiatives relating to waste management, litter prevention and environmental awareness activities.