Dáil Éireann - Volume 456 - 10 October, 1995

Written Answers. - Money For Recycling Companies.

92. Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment the moneys he will make available to recycling companies to help them increase the numbers of employees taking into account the amount of money saved by local authorities because of recycling initiatives. [14302/95]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin): Since 1989, my Department has provided financial support of £2.1 million for both small and large scale recycling initiatives.

The main financial support at national level for the development of recycling in 1995 and subsequent years is to be provided under the waster management sub-programme of the Operational Programme for Environmental Services, 1994-99. Support will be available under this sub-programme for investment of some £18 million by public and private sector agencies in waste recycling infrastructure during the period of the operational programme. I hope to be in a position very shortly to invite applications for financial support for waste recycling projects from the private sector when the details of the scheme have been approved, as required, by the European Commission. Additional support may be available in appropriate cases from the enterprise development agencies at local and national level.