James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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96. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will outline his Department’s strategy to reduce vape-related waste and pollution issues in Dublin; if he will provide metrics to measure the success of this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6808/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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To protect the environment and ensure the recycling of the valuable materials that they contain, it is important to dispose of vapes correctly. Proper takeback and disposal is also part of the transition to a circular economy.

Ireland uses Extended Producer Responsibility or EPR measures for dealing waste streams such as batteries and waste electrical and electronic equipment. EPR requires producers to fund the collection and appropriate management of vaping devices when they become waste.

Vaping devices can be disposed of for recycling through both waste battery and waste electrical and electronic collection systems, and present several challenges when littered or put in household bins.

Under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, local authorities are empowered to take management and enforcement measures to combat litter. Each local authority may determine the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement, and clean-up actions in relation to litter taking account of local priorities. I note that the Annual National Litter Pollution Monitoring System Report to local authorities found that vape-related litter made up about 1% of littered items in Dublin Local Authority areas in 2023.

To support local authorities' litter activities, my department provides financial support under the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme. €750,000 was provided under this Scheme in 2024. Funding was also provided to support the National Spring Clean, Picker Pals, the PURE Project in Wicklow and Irish Business against Litter (IBAL).

Ultimately, a ban on single-use vapes provides the best remedy for the littering of these materials. I understand that proposals by the Minister for Health to further regulate nicotine-inhaling products, including a complete ban on single-use vapes, are now with the Office of the Attorney General for drafting. I look forward to supporting the Minister in any way possible with this work.