Local Authority Environmental Enforcement Performance Report 2024

This report sets out the results of the EPA’s assessment of local authority environmental enforcement performance for 2024.

This assessment is based on the EPA’s Local Authority Performance Framework where performance is measured and reported against National Enforcement Priorities (NEPs) focused on improving environmental compliance and achieving positive outcomes for waste, water, air and noise.

Air quality in Ireland is generally good and was compliant with 2024 air quality standards, meeting all EU legal requirements.

It will be more challenging for Ireland to meet new and more stringent air quality limits that will come into force from 2030. We need to do more to protect our clean air in towns and cities across Ireland.

This report provides an overview of urban wastewater treatment in Ireland during 2024.

It outlines the key issues that Uisce Éireann must address to protect our environment from the harmful effects of wastewater discharges.

Water quality in Ireland is not as good as it should be and is continuing to decline overall.

52% of rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters are in good or high ecological status. This is a 2% decline since the 2016-2021 assessment. Transitional waters, including estuaries and coastal lagoons, are in the poorest condition of any waterbody type, with 70% in an unsatisfactory condition, up from 64% in the last assessment. 92% of groundwaters are in good status. Canals are also in relatively good condition with 87% achieving their water quality targets.

The Plan sets out the priorities to be pursued over the term of the Plan to improve the prevention and management of hazardous waste.

This report is the mid-term evaluation of the Plan and incorporates the third annual report, relating to activities in 2024.