Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the engagement he has had with Meath County Council regarding the provision of brown bins in County Meath; when he expects the provision of brown bins to begin in Meath; the funding available to accelerate the roll out of brown bins in Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8931/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Meeting the requirements of the EU Landfill Directive is a key national priority in respect of waste management and I am committed to implementing the measures necessary to ensure that Ireland meets the associated landfill diversion targets. Data from the National Waste Report 2009, published recently by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), show that the quantity of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) disposed of to landfill decreased by 11% in 2009 to approximately 1.06 million tonnes. On the basis of this data, the EPA have now indicated that Ireland is "on track" to meet the first (July 2010) Landfill Directive target when this is reported on in due course.

There are, however, much stricter BMW diversion targets to be achieved in 2013 and 2016. In order to position us to meet these challenging requirements, my Department will be completing a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) on draft Household Food Waste Regulations; the purpose of such Regulations would be to divert BMW material away from landfill primarily through the more widespread roll out of a brown bin system. I expect to conclude this RIA and to announce my decision in relation to these Regulations before the end of the next Dáil session.

Insofar as the position in County Meath is concerned, the National Waste Report 2009 confirms that while there is a privately operated brown bin collection service operating in the County, it is currently only available to 1.5% of the households serviced. In its role as lead waste authority in the North East region, Meath County Council is currently reviewing waste collection permits in the region, in consultation with neighbouring regions, with a view to facilitating roll out of brown bin collection services from January 2012 in population centres exceeding 1,000 persons.

There is no financial support available from the Exchequer in relation to the provision of brown bin collection services. I am confident, however, that the measures outlined, together with recently announced increases in the Landfill Levy to be phased in between September 2011 and July 2013, will act as important catalysts for the further expansion of such services and underpin the continued progress required in the years ahead to achieve compliance with the Landfill Directive targets for 2013 and 2016.