Gormley To Pay Up For Recycling

John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has announced the provision of €5.6 million in funding to assist local authorities in meeting the costs associated with the operation of their bring banks and civic amenity facilities for the period January to June this year. 

A previous tranche of some €6.4 million was allocated in the period July to December 2008.

Making the announcement, Minister Gormley said: "I am pleased to allocate €5.6 million of funding from this year's Environment Fund, to assist local authorities with the costs incurred in operating their recycling facilities.

"The funding represents an increase of €600,000 on the equivalent period in 2008. This increase demonstrates my determination, even in these times of economic difficulty, to continue to provide support for measures aiding the recovery and recycling of waste."

The Minister said that the allocations were based, as in previous years, on a combination of weighted tonnage and net operating costs, with particular emphasis being given to the higher costs of dealing with certain waste streams such as hazardous waste and plastics.

The funding is provided from the Environment Fund, through which the proceeds of the plastic bag and landfill levy are utilised to provide assistance and support in respect of a range of waste management, litter and other environmental initiatives.