David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his policy in relation to the development of alternative waste management technologies with a view to moving waste management reliance on incineration; if he will bring forward initiatives or legislation to assist in the development of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36572/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his preferred options in regard to policy affecting waste management treatment and disposal, having particular regard to the location of such facilities including landfill, incineration and recycling; the number and location of facilities in respect of which planning permission has been granted in the past two years, those pending or anticipated; the extent to which the locations which are approved are expected to impact on those pending if at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36421/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his policy in relation to waste management with particular reference to the use of landfill, incineration and recycling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36780/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number and location of thermal waste treatment systems in respect of which planning permission has been granted to date; the number of these in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36781/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 53, 213 and 214 together.

The Programme for Government contains a range of commitments in respect of waste management policy centred on the Government's continued support for the internationally recognised waste hierarchy which places major emphasis on the prevention, reuse and recycling of waste while minimising reliance on landfill and incineration. This commitment to the waste hierarchy has added significance in the context of the requirements of the EU Landfill Directive to divert waste from landfill. Meeting this obligation will entail doubling the existing level of diversion from landfill by 2010 and further increases in diversion in subsequent years. The Programme also signalled a move away from mass burn incineration towards alternative technologies.

This is a process which will be assisted by the major review of waste policy, also provided for in the Programme, which has now commenced and which will address how better to implement waste prevention and minimisation in the particular context of the emergence of new technologies for waste management, particularly those for the mechanical and biological treatment of waste which can reduce the need for both incineration and landfill.

Undue emphasis on incineration as the cornerstone of waste management policy is detrimental to the development of alternative solutions. The review may well indicate a continuing role for incineration in our future waste management strategy but I do not envisage it being on anything like the scale that was previously envisaged.

On completion of this major review in 2009 I will bring forward any necessary legislative and policy initiatives needed to give effect to its conclusions.

At present there are no municipal waste incinerators in Ireland and my Department has no function in determining the number, type, location or capacity of any such facilities that may be constructed. Such projects would be advanced by private sector service providers or by local authorities, generally by way of a public private partnership. It is a matter for the promoters of such projects to seek and obtain the necessary regulatory approvals i.e. planning permission and a waste licence. In carrying out their functions planning authorities, including An Bord Pleanála, and the EPA in regard to waste licensing, act independently of the Minister. The approved capacity of individual facilities is a matter for determination through these processes, as provided for in the Planning and Development and Waste Management Acts.

My Department continues to provide grants to local authorities towards the capital development of facilities such as bring banks, civic amenity sites, composting and material recovery facilities. In 2008, over €22 million has already been provided in grant assistance for such facilities. This funding has been primarily provided from the Environment Fund. The previous capital grant scheme for waste recycling infrastructure closed to new applications on 30 June 2008 but in recognition of the continuing need to promote the development of recycling infrastructure I established a new grants scheme — the Waste Recycling Capital Grants Scheme — in July 2008. This scheme will ensure that grants continue to be available to local authorities for the future development of recycling infrastructure. My Department will also continue to provide a subvention to local authorities to assist them in meeting the operational costs associated with the running of their recycling facilities.