Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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303. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide an update on the implementation of the Waste Management (Use of CCTV in Waste Enforcement) Regulations 2023, and if he will outline how his Department is supporting local authorities to deploy CCTV effectively for the detection and prevention of illegal dumping in both urban and rural areas. [23382/25]

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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304. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will confirm the number of local authorities currently using CCTV under the provisions of section 20 of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022; if he will set out how his Department is ensuring that all such use is in line with data protection law; and if he will outline the role of CCTV as a tool in tackling persistent illegal dumping. [23383/25]

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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305. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will detail what funding and technical support is being provided to local authorities to ensure compliance with the Waste Management (Use of CCTV in Waste Enforcement) Regulations 2023; if he will outline plans to expand or review these powers in light of ongoing challenges in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23384/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 303, 304 and 305 together.

As a result of concerns raised by the Data Protection Commission regarding the legal basis for local authority use of CCTV in tackling illegal dumping, my Department introduced legislative provisions to allow for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant usage of CCTV and other mobile recording devices for litter and waste enforcement purposes in the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022. This legislation requires, inter alia, that the Local Government Management Agency develop Codes of Practice, for sign off by the Minister, to govern local authority usage of such enforcement technology. These approved Codes of Practice are available at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-environment-climate-and-communications/publications/waste-enforcement/.

It is an operational matter for each local authority to put in place the necessary measures as required under the relevant Code of Practice to support such usage. As such, my Department does not collate information on the number of local authorities who have adopted the relevant Codes or put in place CCTV schemes to tackle illegal dumping.

However, while the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to illegal dumping lies with local authorities, my Department continues to provide extensive financial, policy and legislative support to the sector to support their enforcement efforts.

Over €20 million has been provided to local authorities under the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) since it was launched in 2017, including almost €2.8 million in 2024, to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, community groups and other State Agencies to tackling the problem of illegal dumping. Funding provided under the ADI can be utilised by local authorities to purchase CCTV and other mobile recording equipment and to put in place enforcement measures involving the use of such equipment. A further €3 million has been allocated to local authorities under the ADI in 2025. It is a matter for the local authorities to apply for this funding through the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs), who administer the scheme on behalf of my Department.

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. €7.7 million has been allocated to local authorities under this scheme in 2025, while a further €4 million has been allocated to support the enhancement of the role, responsibilities and staffing complement of the three WERLAs and the ongoing development of the new Local Authority Waste Programme Coordination Office. My Department has agreed to support these measures in order to position the local authority sector to effectively respond to emerging and priority enforcement challenges, including tackling the scourge of illegal dumping.