The Department of the Environment has allocated €4 million to assist local authorities with the operating costs of recycling facilities.
Making the announcement yesterday, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Dick Roche yesterday said he was conscious of the escalating costs of providing recycling facilities. He said he hoped the latest funding would encourage local authorities to continue to provide and increase their facilities.
The funding is being provided under the Environment Fund programme, which was set up in 2002 and is funded by the plastic bag and landfill levies.
The fund is used to support waste management and other environmental initiatives.
Each local authority was assessed, based on the level and operating costs of recycling carried out in their areas. Special consideration was given to the higher cost of dealing with certain waste materials such as plastic.
The largest sums have been awarded to local authorities in Cork (€650,200), Dublin City Council (€453,400), Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (€365,050) and Fingal (€203,000).
The smallest grants have been given to Longford County Council which will get €12,350 and Galway City Council (€16,350).
"We all have a role to play in managing our waste in the most environmentally-friendly way possible. I would encourage all local authorities to continue delivering the range of waste management infrastructure that is needed,"Mr Roche said.
"It is clear that Irish people are willing to act collectively in tackling our waste issues and will use recycling facilities when they are provided."
Subsidies: what they get
Local authority subsidies for recycling facilities
Cork€650,200
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown€365,050
Fingal€203,000
South Dublin€168,350
Louth€146,450
Waterford€131,850
Wicklow€127,200
Mayo€118,500
Limerick€117,350
Meath€117,250
Roscommon€116,150
Galway* €113,750
Clare€112,300
Kildare€102,250
Kerry€99,600
Laois€78,350
Donegal€77,550
Carlow€74,400
Kilkenny€64,250
Cavan€63,650
Wexford€62,750
Offaly€55,500
North Tipperary€52,300
Westmeath€51,550
South Tipperary€42,750
Monaghan€32,750
Leitrim €25,600
Sligo€21,200
Longford€12,350
*including Timpeallacht na nOileán
City council subsidies for recycling facilities
Dublin €453,400
Cork€50,800
Limerick€39,800
Waterford €35,550
Galway€16,350