Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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546. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will reallocate the unspent funds that were to be used for the 2018 farm hazardous waste collection centres to support the completion of the nationwide collection and recycling of farm tyre waste. [43665/18]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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547. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to ensure that the farm hazardous waste collection centres will resume in 2019 in view of their success in the collection and recycling of hazardous waste on farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43666/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 547 together.

From 2013 to 2017 inclusive, the EPA carried out annual farm hazardous waste collections as a pilot scheme. The aim of this pilot scheme was to ascertain the types and volumes of waste on farms which needed to be disposed of safely.  During the pilot, over 1,000 tonnes of hazardous waste including pesticides, veterinary products, waste oil, contaminated containers, paint, WEEE and batteries has been collected and disposed of safely.

I expect the EPA to publish their findings in relation this pilot scheme shortly.  However, I have received a draft of same and the range and quantity of hazardous waste removed convinces me that there is an absolute necessity for such collections in order to provide an outlet for farmers to dispose of these wastes safely.  

One of the main recommendations by the EPA is that a national scheme be developed to collect these hazardous wastes. My Department is currently exploring with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and other stakeholders how this might be developed and funded.

The pilot study was primarily funded through the National Waste Prevention Programme with a contribution from other stakeholders and farmers.  As the Deputy is aware, however, I made separate funding of €700,000 available this year for the collection of waste tyres from farms.