Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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88.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures being taken to combat illegal dumping; if additional resources are being given to local authorities in counties Cavan and Monaghan to cope with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32200/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Under the Waste Management Act, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to illegal dumping lies with the local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate awareness, enforcement and clean-up actions in relation to illegal dumping, taking account of local circumstances and priorities.

However, my Department provides significant support to the local authority sector in their efforts to tackle illegal dumping. Almost €18m has been provided to the sector under the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) since it was first introduced in 2017 to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, community groups and other State Agencies. €2.84m was provided in support of the ADI in 2023, while a further €3m has been allocated in support of the Initiative in 2024. Cavan County Council received €110,537 under the 2023 ADI, while Monaghan received €109,981. Final allocations for 2024 have yet to be determined, but they are likely to be of a similar amount.

My Department also continues to invest heavily in the local authority waste enforcement network through the Waste Enforcement Measures Grant Scheme, with the intention of maintaining a visible presence of waste enforcement personnel on the ground across the State. €7.7m was provided to local authorities under the scheme in 2023 with a similar amount allocated for 2024. €200,927 was provided to Cavan County Council and €190,537 was provided to Monaghan County Council under this scheme in 2023, with similar amounts allocated for 2024.