Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1304. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures in place to deal with the problem of illegal dumping; the persons or bodies these schemes are open to; his further plans to introduce more funding for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1591/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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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 €5,000 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.

My role, as Minister, is to provide the legislative and policy framework under which both local authority and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement action against illegal dumping is initiated. Enforcement action against illegal waste activity is a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) of the EPA as appropriate.

Notwithstanding this arrangement, my Department encourages a multi-faceted approach to tackling the problem, incorporating enforcement, public awareness and education. As such, I introduced an Anti-Dumping Initiative in 2017 to work in partnership with local authorities and community organisations in identifying high risk or problem areas, developing appropriate enforcement responses and carrying out clean-up operations. Such was the response from across the country that I doubled the initial financial allocation with some €1.3M overall being provided to support 200 anti-dumping projects throughout Ireland.

The “before and after” reports from the projects that received funding  illustrates the effectiveness of the range of clean-up and restorative projects led by community, environmental and sporting groups which have positively impacted on towns and villages across the country.

A review of last year’s initiative has been undertaken to inform a 2018 anti-dumping work programme that will place an increased emphasis on all actors who facilitate the unauthorised movement and disposal of waste. In that regard, I can confirm that I will be making funding available this year to support local authorities and community organisations in building on the momentum that has now been created, to continue to address dumping black spots and target those who show such disregard for their communities and environment.

It is my intention to launch the 2018 Anti-Dumping Initiative early this year at which point further information will be available from the Environment Section of each local authority for community and voluntary groups who wish to participate.