Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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36. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the increase in funding in budget 2014 of 19% for the environment and waste management, how this funding will be used; and the reason for the cut in the landfill levy by 21%. [44813/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Overall Exchequer capital and current funding for environmental and waste management programmes is being increased by 19% from €29.25m in 2013 to €34.67m in 2014. In terms of how this funding will be used, a full breakdown of the multi-annual capital investment framework provided for under Budget 2014, by ministerial Group, is set out in the Expenditure Report for 2014. This Report, which provides a breakdown of the capital allocations by programme heading, including environmental and waste management programmes, on page 184, was published on 16 October by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and can be accessed at: In particular, additional capital provision is being made in respect to landfill remediation.

There has been no cut to the landfill levy. Proceeds from the levy are paid into the Environment Fund and the total estimated revenue to be received from the levy in 2014 is €39.9 million; this represents a decrease of 21% on the estimated income for 2013. However, it is important to note that t he landfill levy is chargeable on waste presented for disposal at landfill facilities. It is intended, primarily, to act as an economic instrument to encourage more sustainable management of our waste by diverting it away from landfill. The decrease in income from the levy indicates that the instrument continues to be effective in decreasing the amount of residual waste consigned to landfill.