Southern Waste Region

About Us

The Southern Region:

The Southern Waste Region comprises the 10 local authority areas of Carlow, Clare, Cork County, Cork City, Limerick City & County, Kerry, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford City & County and Wexford. The Region covers 42% of the land mass of the country, with a population of over 1.5 million people. The settlement patterns in the region are evenly split between urban and rural areas, with the four cities of Cork, Limerick, Kilkenny and Waterford having the highest population and strongest centres of economic activity.

Limerick City & County Council and Tipperary County Council are the lead authorities for the Region and manage the Southern Region Waste Management Office (SRWMO). The SRWMO coordinates the implementation of the Southern Region Waste Management Plan 2015 – 2021 and is a knowledge resource for all stakeholders with the capacity to promote higher order waste actions in the areas of prevention, reuse, resource efficiency and recycling.

The Role of the Southern Region Waste Management Office is:

To facilitate and service the regional waste steering committee in the implementation of the objectives set out in the Southern Region Waste Management Plan 2015 - 2021. To develop a prioritised programme of objectives, targets and key performance indicators to ensure that the aims of the Plan are delivered;
To assist, facilitate and coordinate, in partnership with the member local authorities, the implementation of the objectives, policies, actions and targets of the Plan;
To prepare annual reports as required for the region, reporting on performance under each of the policy headings contained within the Plan;
To maintain and establish task groups on specific issues when required;
To prepare applications for grant assistance for regional projects;
To identify, coordinate and facilitate the training needs of the region to ensure effective implementation of the Plan;
To proactively promote prevention, minimisation, re-use and recycling of waste in accordance with the waste hierarchy and in association with industries, businesses, other statutory and non-statutory Agencies; and
To foster community awareness of waste management issues in association with the Environmental Awareness Officers in each of the member local authorities.

Who are the member local authorities?

The following local authorities make up the Southern Waste Region:
Carlow County Council, Clare County Council, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Kerry County Council, Kilkenny County Council, Limerick City and County Council, Tipperary County Council, Waterford City and County Council and Wexford County Council.
The lead authorities for the region are Limerick City and County Council and Tipperary County Council.

Where is the Southern Region Waste Management Office (SRWMO)?

The SRWMO is located in Lissanalta House, Dooradoyle Road, Limerick V94 K6PO.
Tel : 061 496 596
eMail: info@srwmo.ie
Twitter: @preventwaste

Staff Details

Ursula Ahern, Executive Scientist

Ursula Ahern is the technical officer for the Southern Region Waste Management Office and is involved in data gathering and validation, preparing technical guidance and reports and procuring technical services. She also provides support to Local authorities to meet their responsibilities under the plan. Ursula also assists in the circular economy transition programme.

Philippa King, Regional Waste Coordinator

Philippa King has overall responsibility for managing the Regional Waste Management Office and managing the development and implementation of the “National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy including the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment. Philippa represents the Southern Region on National committees and National working groups.

Pauline McDonogh, Acting Senior Executive Scientist

Pauline McDonogh is acting Senior Executive Scientist with the regional waste planning Office. Pauline’s work across the region is focusing on the challenge of transitioning to a circular economy. Pauline engages with all stakeholders including academic institutions, commercial and industrial facilities, civic organisations. Contact Pauline if you are looking for assistance on commercial waste, the circular economy or any of the national campaigns on www.mywaste.ie

Carol Sweetnam, Historic Landfill Officer

Carol Sweetnam is involved in co-ordinating the implementation of the roadmap for progressing the environmental risk assessment, authorisation and remediation of historic landfills within the Southern Waste Region & Connacht-Ulster Waste Region.

Annette Hesketh, Administration Support

Annette Hesketh provides administration support to the Southern Region Waste Management Office staff for both technical and non-technical issues