There has been a worrying rise in illegal dumping since the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis, a Galway TD has said.
Minister Ciaran Cannon said this causes many environmental problems and health risks, and it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure waste is disposed of properly.
The East Galway TD said that €1 million will be provided in funding to local authorities to combat the illegal dumping and he encouraged Galway County Council to apply before the closing date on 4 May.
An Anti-Dumping Initiative has been set up by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to work with Galway County Council and community organisations to carry out clean-up operations in Galway and develop appropriate enforcement responses.
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.
