Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the seriousness of this issue and, as I said, DCC is actively engaged at a senior level with An Garda Síochána in the ongoing efforts to eliminate illegal dumping in this area. While enforcement action in this area is a matter for the local authorities, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications encourages a multifaceted approach to tackling the problem, incorporating enforcement, public awareness and education. In that context, the Department provides significant funding to support the activities of the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities and the network of local authority waste enforcement officers. In addition, the Department has developed the anti-dumping initiative to work in partnership with local authorities and community organisations in identifying high-risk or problem areas, developing appropriate enforcement responses and carrying out clean-up operations. I will raise this directly with the Minister and come back to the Deputy on progress on this.

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