Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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491. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider introducing a pilot programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49155/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Single Use Plastics proposal, published this year, is an EU-wide action plan to tackle single use plastic items commonly found as litter in the marine environment. This includes a proposed 90% collection target for plastic bottles and nationally we need to consider how this could be attained. A Deposit and Return Scheme has been identified as one option for Member States to consider as a means to achieve the new, higher collection target. I have agreed to commission a national study into how we can achieve this proposed new collection rate. I recognise the challenges presented by littering and I believe that a multi-facetted approach is required, incorporating effective enforcement, public awareness and education. Educating the young people of this country is key to affecting a long term change in society’s attitudes towards litter. My Department supports a number of national anti-litter initiatives including, amongst others, the Local Authority Anti-Litter Awareness Grants, the National Spring Clean Campaign and the Green Schools Programme.

My Department currently provides funding to An Taisce for the operation of the Green Schools programme. Green-Schools is Ireland’s leading environmental management and education programme for schools with in excess of 90% of all Irish schools currently participating in the programme. The Irish Green-Schools programme is one of the most successful within the international network. The aim of Green-Schools is to increase students’ and participant awareness of environmental issues through classroom studies and to transfer this knowledge into positive environmental action in the school and also in the wider community. My Department also provides funding to Eco-Unesco for the operation of the Young Environmentalist Awards which is open to young people between the ages of 10 and 18.