Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1063: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to reports of local authorities or waste companies not picking up materials to be recycled due to problems caused by the international collapse in the recycled goods market; the action he has taken to address these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1206/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Any failure to collect waste is a contractual matter between the customer and the waste company involved. Regarding the question of the recyclates markets, representatives from the waste industry met with my Department on 24 October 2008 to discuss industry concerns regarding the sudden drop in international demand for recycled materials. Their principal issue of concern was the need rapidly to increase the storage capacity of existing permitted and licensed facilities. Immediately following this meeting, my Department contacted each local authority, by way of circular letter, outlining the possible options to deal with licensing of additional storage and stressing the need for local authorities to give priority to any applications received.

On 31 October 2008, I announced the establishment of an action group to examine the situation and provide an early report to me. The Action Group comprises representatives of industry, local authorities, Enterprise Ireland, EPA, the executive team implementing the market development programme and my Department. The issue is one which affects a number of EU member states. Ireland has raised it at official level with the European Commission and I raised the issue at the December 2008 meeting of the Environment Council where Ireland received support from 12 other Member States.

The current problem highlights the importance of developing new markets and uses for recyclates. I am fully committed to achieving the highest possible levels of recycling and to the continuing development of a national network of waste recycling facilities. Since 2002, over €100 million has been allocated by my Department to local authorities to assist in the capital costs of establishing and developing such facilities.

My Department also provides an annual subvention to local authorities to assist in the operational costs associated with their recycling facilities. In November 2008 I approved payment of €10 million in respect of costs incurred in the 12-month period to June 2008. A further €2 million will be paid to local authorities in respect of waste electrical and electronic equipment, WEEE, collected over the same period at local authority sites. I am also providing an additional €2 million to address the increased costs to local authorities as a result of the current market situation. I recently opened a Materials Recycling Facility in Ballymount which will allow for high quality material to be available as the market recovers.