Illegal Dumping

Tuesday, 8 October 2024

Ceisteanna (48)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

48. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount that was spent on clearing up waste from illegal dumping on the Curragh plains in each of the years 2016 to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39750/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

The information requested by the Deputy could not be compiled in the time frame provided. My officials are currently collating the relevant information and a response to the Deputy will be provided in the near future.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51:

I refer to the above mentioned Parliamentary Question from 8th October 2024 which was deferred: “To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount that was spent on clearing up waste from illegal dumping on the Curragh plains in each of the years 2016 to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.”

While it was not possible to provide the requested information to you within the given timeframe, I am now in a position to provide information on this matter.

Illegal dumping and fly-tipping on the Curragh Plains has quite often resulted in significant expenses for the Department of Defence. The table shown below indicates the amount spent on illegal dumping and other related matters since 2016.

In earlier years waste contractors also carried out other works of necessary maintenance on the Plains such as remedial work following storms, cutting of trees, harrowing cut-up ground and repairing of sheep pens. Those services are now generally contracted to individual contractors with a separate main contract is for waste collection and disposal only.

In the last several years, costs have been very high owing to a preponderance of illegal encampments on the Curragh. While it has been necessary to remedy issues of occasional fly-tipping, the majority of services rendered related to the aftermath of illegal encampments which can include large amounts of human and household waste and landscaping or garden waste. This waste is harmful to livestock legitimately grazing on the Curragh and also affects recreational users of the Curragh Plains.

Naturally, the Department of Defence does not condone nor permit any of this illegal activity and has always engaged with An Garda Síochána and the local authority (Kildare County Council) in an effort to eliminate any such anti-social behaviour.

Maintenance and Waste Removal Costs of Illegally dumped items from Curragh Plains 2016 to October 2024:

Year	Cost including VAT €	Notes
2016	237,226.12	These costs include Waste collection
2017	231,911.79	from the Curragh and Disposal to a
2018	214,706.57	licensed Waste Management Facility
2019	180,277.05	plus miscellaneous Maintenance Eg
2020	77,270.80	Harrowing ground, tree cutting etc,
2021	58,279.61	when required.
2022	159,336.25
2023	125,305.14
2024	185,944.94	To 10 October 2024

I trust this is of assistance to you.