Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 299: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding a civic amenity centre planned for an area (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33959/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The civic amenity centre planned for the area in question was approved for grant assistance at the rate of 75% of approved costs under the terms of the Waste Management Infrastructural Grant Scheme, which was launched in 2002. One of the eligibility criteria for this scheme was that all expenditure had to be incurred by the local authority by 30 June 2008 in order to be guaranteed funding.

To ensure the continuing development of recycling infrastructure a new scheme, the Waste Recycling Capital Grant Scheme, was established in July 2008. Under the terms of this scheme expenditure which has been incurred by local authorities since 1 January 2008 is eligible for grant assistance. A grant rate of 75% of approved costs is generally applicable for civic amenity sites under this scheme.

My Department has been in contact with Wexford County Council regarding the civic amenity site in question. It is anticipated that Wexford County Council will shortly be submitting a request that the planned facility be considered under the terms of the new grant scheme. This will enable the local authority to draw down grant aid on all eligible expenditure which has been incurred since 1 January 2008, as well as future eligible expenditure on the planned civic amenity site.