Environmental Monitoring and Waste Enforcement Measures (E0702

• Greener Clare recognition scheme for communities, businesses and sustainable tourism destinations • Greening of Festival – Clare Green Festival Initiative • Repair Cafe in Ennis and promotion of Repair MyStuff.ie resource

Environmental Monitoring and Waste Enforcement Measures (E0702)

Waste and litter complaints continue to be a problem in certain parts of the County and there has been a noticeable escalation of illegal dumping and fly tipping in recent years which reflects the situation nationally. In recognition of this Clare County Council applied for and secured an allocation of €86k under the Anti-Dumping Initiative for 2020 to deal with problematic areas of the County. The 2021 budget reflects additional Community Warden resourcing which means that each Municipal District has a specific resource to address complaints. The waste enforcement team will continue to adapt to priorities as they arise.

The adoption of the Waste Management Bye-laws enables the Council to conduct routine inspections and surveys of both domestic and commercial properties to ensure compliance with various waste management legislation.

As required annually by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Clare County Council will develop and submit an Environmental Inspection Plan for 2021 (RMCEI) which will detail the framework of environmental inspection targets to be undertaken during the year. The Council will also submit a report on its performance against targets stated in the 2020 RMCEI plan in relation to the achievement of environmental objectives and outcomes.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is continuing its Enforcement Performance Assessment Framework which measures and reports on local authority effectiveness in meeting environmental enforcement targets. Funding will be required to maintain targets set out under the Framework.

Budget 2021 provides for the resources considered necessary to deliver on the targets set out in the annual Inspection Plan as well as unplanned insections arising from complaints received or incidents of environmental pollution.

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has reduced the annual waste enforcement grant to Clare County Council from €405k to €221k as part of a national rationalisation and redistribution of the grant across all local authorities. This grant funds the multi-disciplinary waste enforcement team, which investigates illegal dumping, monitors waste facility permits and certificates, and oversees compliance with all relevant regulatory waste legislation.

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