Written answers
Tuesday, 13 June 2023
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
Departmental Data
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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192. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the potential cost of providing every second-level student in the State with a reusable water bottle, which could be brought to school or used during sports activities to reduce the use of plastic bottles (as per the pilot project undertaken by Galway City Council); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27539/23]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The latest data published by the Central Statistics Office shows that the number of students attending secondary level schools in Ireland is 405,003 and the potential cost of providing every second-level student in the State with a reusable water bottle would be a multiple of that number, depending on the pricing for reusable bottles, which varies depending on brand, material and size.
Studies carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on public behaviours and attitudes towards plastics show that 81% of Irish people already own a reusable water bottle so government investment to promote alternatives to single use plastics must be targeted in the right way.
Current measures in place to encourage people to use refillable bottles and cups and to drink from the tap include:
- The Local Authority Prevention Network (LAPN) has developed a guide for local government and communities which supports access to free water refill points. LAPN also provides funding for the installation of public drinking water fonts and, in 2022, funds were provided 5 Local Authorities for this purpose.
- Refill.ie is a non-profit, community-led initiative, funded by the EPA and local government which maps the 1,600+ locations across the country where a reusable water bottle can be refilled for free.
- The GAA’s Green Clubs initiative, funded by local government and Irish Water, provides free, reusable bottles to participating clubs.
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