Some €1 million in funding will be given to local authorities to combat a worrying rise in illegal dumping during the Covid-19 emergency, according to Laois/Offaly TD and Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan.
The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has developed an Anti-Dumping Initiative to work in partnership with Laois amd Offaly County Councils and community organisations in developing appropriate enforcement responses and carrying out clean-up operations across the counties.
Minister Flanagan stated: “Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 crisis, there has been a reported rise in illegal dumping, particularly as people clean out their houses and sheds and are using recycling banks more frequently during the pandemic.
“There are many environmental problems and health risks caused by illegal dumping and it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure waste is disposed of in the correct fashion.
“Laois and Offaly County Councils can apply for funding from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment until May 4th for its enforcement operations and I would strongly encourage it to do so.
“Waste removal and the installation of CCTV or other monitoring and surveillance equipment will be among the activities supported with funds from the Anti-Dumping initiative.
“Since the introduction of the Anti-Dumping Initiative in 2017, funding of €6.3 million has been provided which has supported over 700 projects across all 31 local authorities and removed 10,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste.
“This is in addition to the €7.4 million annual enforcement grant, which supports the recruitment and retention of 150 local authority waste enforcement personnel across the country.”
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