Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 128: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the full extent of the progress made to date in the remediation programme for the Kerdiffstown landfill site, County Kildare; the degree to which all unacceptable materials have been removed or are likely to be completed; the total expenditure to date; the further expenditure required if any; when the site will be restored in accordance with best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19207/11]

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

Following the completion of the fire fighting activity at the Kedriffstown facility on 25 February 2011, the fire services passed control of the site to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is now using powers under the Waste Management Acts to remediate the site and to put in place appropriate aftercare measures.

Remedial works are continuing at the site as part of a process that will take a number of years to complete. The next phase of the work involves a detailed site investigation which is being advanced over the period to end 2011, followed by detailed design of the full remediation works programme.

The EPA has established a Community Liaison Group, comprising the Agency itself, local residents (including members of the Clean Air Naas group), business representatives and Kildare County Council. The first meeting of the group was held on July, 2011 and included a site visit for group members and elected representatives from the area. A range of relevant information is available on the dedicated project website, www.kerdiffstowncleanup.ie, established by the EPA. Further information and updates will be posted to this site as the remedial project continues with a view to keeping the public fully informed on progress in a timely manner.

Payments totaling €2,262,389 have been made by my Department to date to support the work of Kildare County Council and the EPA at the Kerdiffstown facility. While further significant expenditure will arise, it is not possible to quantify this precisely as the costs involved will depend on a range of factors, including the quantities of waste, the approach to remediation required and the results of tendering processes.