Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 289: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the plans by South Dublin County Council to close its green waste facility and not re-open it at a new location; if this is in breach of rules pertaining to recycling of waste materials and diversion away from landfill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44111/09]

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

My Department understands that the closure of this green waste facility is under consideration by South Dublin County Council but that the civic amenity facility at Ballymount continues to accept green waste and will remain in operation. The decision is an operational matter for South Dublin County Council. Since 2002 my Department has provided grant assistance of over €100 million to local authorities towards the development of waste recycling facilities. However, the green waste facility in question did not receive assistance under either the current Waste Recycling Capital Grants Scheme or the previous Waste Management Infrastructural Grant Scheme and therefore the question of recoupment of any grant paid does not arise.

The National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste was published in April 2006 and sets out measures to divert biodegradable municipal waste from landfill in accordance with the targets in EU Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste. These targets require progressive reductions in the amount of biodegradable municipal waste which was landfilled in the reference year of 1995. They are designed to achieve a reduction to 75% by 2010, 50% by 2013 and 35% by 2016.

I am introducing a range of measures, including source segregation of food waste arising on commercial premises, which will contribute significantly to meeting Ireland's obligations under EU Directive 199/31/EC on the landfill of waste.