David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 239: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the initiatives and supports that he has put in place or will put in place to support and develop industries here that will reuse and recycle waste materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2694/09]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the incentive that he has put in place or will put in place to encourage and support industries associated with recycling of waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2693/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 258 together.

At present, Enterprise Ireland supports waste recycling and waste management companies particularly through its Growth Fund, Investment Fund or Research and Development Fund. Current initiatives include the establishment by EI of a dedicated CleanTech Department to support an expanding portfolio of companies covering the Waste, Water, Energy and Services sub-sectors. This team is being resourced to address the needs and challenges arising. In addition, the agency's GreenTech Support package helps client companies take advantage of the opportunities presented by integrating environmental sustainability into their businesses.

In addition, a recent study undertaken by Forfás and Inter-Trade Ireland identified opportunities across a range of areas in the environment goods and services, including the waste sector. There are openings for those enterprises that can provide equipment, consultancy services and, in particular, develop innovative technologies in the areas of waste collection and disposal. Such technologies and services will make for more efficient and cost effective operations. Prospects are good for companies that can meet the strong market demand for recovered materials such as plastics and metals. This is especially so where the activity can be carried out on a larger scale, producing a higher quality final material for recycling.

In the area of transforming waste into energy, opportunities exist for companies providing innovative systems that utilize new and existing technologies to produce energy as well as a range of application fuels (e.g. gas, biomass fuel) and secondary products (e.g. compost) from waste materials. Renewable energy companies are becoming increasingly involved in the waste industry indicating the future growth potential for this sector. I am confident we can look forward to significant job creation in the areas identified.