Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

166. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the implementation of the levy on disposable coffee cups as provided for in the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60723/25]

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

169. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce a levy on disposable coffee cups to incentivise the use of reusable alternatives, in line with international best practice and the provisions of the Circular Economy Act 2022. [60726/25]

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

171. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the timeline for implementing the proposed charge on disposable coffee cups; and if he will ensure that communities and businesses receive adequate support to transition to reusable systems. [60728/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 169 and 171 together.

Legislative powers are in place, through the Circular Economy Act 2022, to implement environmental levies on a range of single use products including single-use cups, single-use containers and other forms of single-use packaging.

In 2022, the Department commissioned a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) on the introduction of a levy on single use cups and a public consultation on draft regulations was undertaken. It was envisaged, at the time, that a levy might be introduced in a similar way to the plastic bag levy (i.e. at the point of sale in a retail premises).

Following further engagement with the Revenue Commissioners, a different collection model, collecting the levy when cups are first placed on the market by producers or importers, was discussed. Such a revision would require an amendment of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022. The Department continues to work with the Revenue Commissioners on this.

Furthermore, the Department has recently commissioned an update to the RIA which will explore the potential impacts of the revised collection model and any other policy measure to reduce single use cup consumption effectively. The RIA will take into consideration the impact of a levy or other policy measures would have on business.

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

167. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has assessed the environmental impact of disposable coffee cups sent to landfill or incineration annually; and if he will publish the findings. [60724/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Single Use Plastic Directive (SUPD) Ireland must report consumption reduction measures with respect to single use cups for beverages. Both quantitative and qualitative measures have been reported since 2024 for the year 2022 onwards.

The national litter pollution monitoring system commissioned by the Department included several items added on foot our obligations under the SUP Directive. Single use cups have been accounted for since 2023. The latest available data can be found at the following: www.litter.ie/news/NLPMS%20Report%202024%20Final.pdf

The latest EPA litter waste characterisation report is a report on the composition of the national litter waste in Ireland. In 2024 this report quantified waste categories for the first time. The inclusion of coffee cups amongst other SUP products forms a baseline to track this data over time. This will allow the Department to assess the effectiveness of our current and future proposals. The full report can be accessed at the following: www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/waste/national-waste-statistics/EPA-Public-Litter-Waste-Characterisation_Report_F01-Final.pdf

Furthermore, the Department has recently commissioned an update to the Regulatory Impact Assessment which will explore the potential impacts of a revised collection model, along with other policy measures to reduce single use cup consumption effectively.

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

168. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered the success of local reusable cup initiatives, such as those in Fingal, Killarney, Bettystown, Trim, and Wicklow, in shaping national policy on single-use items; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60725/25]

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

170. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has engaged with stakeholders involved in local reusable cup campaigns to inform the development of national waste reduction strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60727/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 170 together.

Following on from the success of the Killarney Cup Project, the Department engaged the Munster Technological University (MTU) to conduct a study on the Killarney Cup Project. The aim was to examine how community-led reusable cup systems can operate effectively. The study resulted in a Project Information Kit designed to support other towns and communities across Ireland seeking to replicate this initiative. This toolkit can be found here: localprevention.ie/topics/killarneycoffeecupproject/

I met with representatives of the Killarney Coffee Cup Project in July to hear their experiences and concerns. Departmental officials have also met with representatives from the Fingal Reuse Project to discuss their findings and lessons learned.

The Department continues to monitor the progress and outcomes of these community-led initiatives, this work forms part of the Department’s wider efforts to promote sustainable consumption and reduce reliance on single-use products.

Furthermore, the Department has recently commissioned an update to the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) which will explore the potential impacts of a revised collection model, along with other policy measures to reduce single use cup consumption effectively. The RIA will consider the potential impacts on business.