Over €2 million is allocated in war on illegal dumping

OVER €2 million is to be allocated this year for a targeted crackdown on illegal dumping blackspots across the country.

Describing illegal dumping as “economic and environmental treason”, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, launched the 2018 Anti-Illegal Dumping Initiative last week.

Covert surveillance and smart technology, including aerial imagery from drones and satellites as well as the installation of CCTV cameras and better enforcement and prosecution actions, will form a central part of this year’s crackdown.

It builds on the success of last year’s Anti-Dumping Initiative where €1.3 million was spent on 230 clean-up and restorative projects led by community, environmental and sporting groups across the country. 

Thousand of tonnes of waste was removed from public and private lands, beaches, walking routes and residential areas.

On the Southside €28,559 will be allocated to  tackle illegal dumping in Rossfield Housing Estate, Sean Walsh Park, Piperstown Road, for the Camac River Clean-up and Smyth's Lane.

 “Ireland is fighting back and reclaiming our rivers, beaches, parks and walkways from illegal dumpers,T the minister stated.

“The response to last year’s anti-dumping initiative from the public and local authorities was unprecedented.

“Over 230 black spots were cleaned up and measures put in place to protect against a return of illegal dumping in these areas.

“This year I am increasing the allocation by €700,000 up to €2 million to build on the momentum that has now been created and to provide for a bigger focus on identifying and prosecuting illegal dumpers. 

“Unauthorised and bogus waste collectors advertising on-line or through leaflet drops will also be targeted,” the minister added.

“We’ll be encouraging householders to always ask to see a permit before engaging with any bulky waste disposal operators.”

Applications for funding are being invited from local authorities for consideration by the relevant waste enforcement regional local authority subject to the selection criteria developed for this purpose.

Minister Denis Naughten concluded: “The battle is well and truly on to catch and prosecute those who are committing environmental and economic treason.

“Our communities are standing as one to say enough. Our riverways, mountainsides, towns and villages are to be used no longer as the dumping grounds by those who have no respect for our environment, our laws or their neighbours.”

Only recently, Fianna Fáil’s Dublin Spokesperson, John Lahart, said that the scourge of illegal dumping in the capital was draining major resources away from other important public services. 

He was commenting following receipt of information from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment which revealed that over €1,890,000 was spent across the four Dublin local authorities in 2017.

Deputy Lahart said, “Week in, week out I hear from Dublin residents about the growth of illegal dumping in their communities, which are among the most densely populated urban areas in Ireland.

“Apart from the public nuisance, this activity also represents a public health risk.

 “The true cost of illegal dumping ultimately falls back on the taxpayer and this is only set to increase further as the problem worsens across the capital.”

He added: “Informing the public of the costs, public health concerns and environmental impact associated with dumping is urgently required.

“The money spent by local authorities to control the problem should be allocated for public services, not to dealing with people’s disgusting behaviour.”