Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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21. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost in 2018 and 2019 for the disposal of toxic sludge relating to diesel laundering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33990/20]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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22. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost in 2018 and 2019 for the clean-up and remediation relating to diesel laundering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33991/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together.

Enforcement in relation to illegal diesel laundering activities is primarily a matter for the Revenue Commissioners from the point of view of avoiding loss of revenue to the Exchequer. My Department assists local authorities in carrying out their role as competent authorities under waste legislation, which involves taking the necessary measures, on behalf of the State, to ensure that any waste generated and left abandoned by diesel launderers is disposed of without endangering human health and without harming the environment.

In total, funding of €431,298 was provided by my Department to two local authorities over the period 2018 to 2019 to fund the clean up and removal of diesel sludge relating to 88 incidences of illegal diesel laundering. The following table sets out the breakdown of the funding provided and the number of incidents related to each of the two local authority areas.