AQW 8448/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 08/10/2020
Answered On Date: 22/10/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail plans to increase funding for additional air quality monitoring sites.

Answer:

Air Quality is continually monitored across Northern Ireland. This includes monitoring pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide. Sources of nitrogen dioxide include domestic and industrial combustion and road transport. Particulate matter is formed from domestic wood and coal burning and industrial combustion.

My Department financially supports district councils in monitoring air quality through the Local Air Quality Management Grant. Annual sums offered each year under this Grant are in the region of £180,000. During the 2010/21 financial year an additional £90,000 has been offered to district councils to upgrade existing monitors.