Written answers

Tuesday, 15 October 2013

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Illegal Dumping

Photo of Dessie EllisDessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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222. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to tackle illegal dumping. [43128/13]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Enforcement action against illegal waste activity is a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). My role, as M inister, is to provide the legislative and policy framework under which both local authority and EPA enforcement action against illegal dumping is initiated. My Department also provides financial support to a network of local authority waste enforcement officers, as well as to the OEE. In 2012, provision of €10,360,278 was made to support the work of a network of local authority enforcement officers, while €2,100,000 was provided to support the work of the OEE.

Each local authority is required to set out an annual programme of action, detailing the enforcement activities towards which this funding will be utilised. Typically, such programmes also include actions to tackle illegal dumping. Penalties for serious dumping offences provided for under the Waste Management Acts are substantial. Persons who are found to be responsible for, or involved in, the unauthorised disposal of waste are liable to a maximum fine of €3,000 on summary conviction and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months, and to a maximum fine of €15 million on conviction on indictment and/or imprisonment for up to 10 years.

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