The NIEA Regulatory Charging Policy covers those fees and charges associated with Waste, Water and Pollution Control Legislation. Between 2010 and 2021 NIEA has published a Regulatory Charging Policy establishing a framework for the setting and revision of regulatory fees.
The current NIEA Regulatory Charging Policy expires in March 2021. NIEA is seeking to extend this charging policy over the next 2 years until 31 March 2023, during this time we will undertake detailed review of the current policy.
NIEA’s fees and charges are set in accordance with statutory requirements, DFP and Treasury guidance and the Agency’s Charging Policy. One of the key aspects of DFP and Treasury guidance is the maintenance of full cost recovery whereby the income generated from the charging schemes covers the cost of resources involved in the delivery of the regulatory activities.
NIEA proposes to apply the 20/21 GDP deflator again in 21/22 in order to maintain the 2020-21 charges. This GDP deflator will apply in 21/22 of the new policy with the option for NIEA to review in the final year (22/23) should it be considered appropriate. The Department reserves the right to apply any other mechanism as deemed appropriate to ensure the maintenance of full cost recovery thus preventing any potential Departmental losses.
NIEA is committed to delivering an effective and supportive regulatory system to protect the environment and promote sustainable growth, which is fair and proportionate to those we regulate, including the level of charges we apply.
Deadline for responses
The closing date for responses is 15 March 2021 at 23:59. Please ensure your response is submitted by that date.
Confidentiality of Consultation Responses
The Department takes data protection, freedom of information and environmental information issues seriously. It takes care to ensure that any personal information received from you is dealt with in a way which complies with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulations (2016) and the Data Protection Act (2018).
Click on the DAERA Privacy Statement 2020 for more information.
Summary and Response
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) completed a Public Consultation for the ‘Two Year Extension of the existing NIEA Regulatory Charging Policy from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2023’. The consultation opened on the 18th January 2021 and closed on the 15th March 2021.
NIEA engaged with a number of key stakeholders through a number of platforms, including industry and local councils, seeking their comment on this consultation. The consultation summary document published above provides a summary of all responses received to this public consultation.
NIEA received 9 responses to the public consultation through the Citizens Space online platform and directly to NIEA via e-mail. We received 1 additional response after the deadline for responses closed on the 15th March 2021. All comments will be considered as part to the two year strategic review of the NIEA Regulatory Charging Policy.