Latest Publications
Research 475: Effect-based Monitoring for Pharmaceutical Pollution in Ireland
Authors: Fiona Regan and Dylan O’Flynn, January 2025
Year: 2025
This research addressed the significant societal and environmental risks posed by active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in water sources. Even at low concentrations these can affect wildlife and potentially humans. The report identifies the main sources of APIs and reveals that certain pharmaceutical compounds are consistently present at measurable concentrations, emphasising the importance of monitoring near waste water treatment plants and in surface waters both upstream and downstream. In addition, the project aimed to assess the effectiveness of ecotoxicology tests in determining the chronic effects of pharmaceuticals and measure toxicity, or modes of action using a battery of bioassays on individual pharmaceutical compounds and mixtures. Using this comprehensive approach, the research provides a deeper understanding of pharmaceutical pollution to inform strategies to mitigate its impact on the environment and public health.
Repair Skills Training and Education in Ireland
Year: 2025
This study provides information on the availability and scope of repair skills training and education in Ireland, highlighting its significance in supporting the transition to a circular economy. The study identified 159 repair skills training and education courses available for enrolment related to a range of product categories, with bicycles, clothing and textiles, automotive and furniture and upholstery repairs being the most well represented. The study highlighted the key role that social and community repair initiatives are providing to support the development of self-repair skills among members of the public. The report includes findings relating to the challenges in the current repair training and education landscape and highlights potential intervention opportunities to support the provision of repair skills training and education.
Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Repair Enterprises Ireland
Year: 2025
This study provides information on business-to-consumer (B2C) repair enterprises in Ireland and explores the role these enterprises play within the context of a circular economy, through extending product lifecycles and reducing waste while enabling circular businesses and jobs. The study identified over 1,500 B2C repair enterprises and analysed the range of product repair services on offer and the geographic location of the enterprises. The study also highlights potential intervention opportunities such as targeted funding and economic policy instruments to support enterprises and incentivise consumers to engage with the sector, and measures to promote quality assurance and consumer confidence in repair services.
EPA Focus on Adaptation Report 2024
Year: 2025
This report highlights recent progress in Ireland’s climate change adaptation, covering areas including policy, governance, planning, climate services, risk assessment, and research. As climate change continues to impact Ireland, adapting to this new reality is essential for the country’s future resilience. Building this resilience requires a coordinated approach that includes strong institutions and governance, adequate resources, legal and regulatory support, regular vulnerability assessments, and climate action planning across national, sectoral, and local levels. Access to information and enhanced capacity for adaptation are also critical.
Annual Report for the contained use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs – i.e. GM Plants) for 2024
Year: 2025
Annual Report for the contained use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs – i.e. GM Plants) for 2024
Annual Report for the contained use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs i.e. GM Animals) for 2024
Year: 2025
Annual Report for the contained use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs i.e. GM Animals) for 2024
Annual Report for the contained use of Genetically Modified Micro-organisms (GMMs) for 2024
Year: 2025
Annual Report for the contained use of Genetically Modified Micro-organisms (GMMs) for 2024
Programme Officer I (Level 3) Facilities Management & Sustainability
Post Number: 000511, January 2025
Year: 2025
The EPA is recruiting a Programme Officer (Level 3) to lead the Facilities Management team in EPA Headquarters Wexford. This is an exciting career opportunity to lead the facilities team and be part of the wider Facilities Management & Sustainability team which also has responsibility for our Dublin Campus facilities and EPA’s environmental sustainability programme across all locations.
Dumping at Sea Register
Year: 2025
SEA of local authority Land Use Plans - EPA recommendations and resources
Year: 2025
This document forms part of submissions we make on local authority land-use plans undergoing strategic environmental assessments (SEA). It includes: key environmental recommendations to consider; information on recently published relevant EPA reports; links to useful environmental resources for local authorities carrying out SEA of land-use plans. It is updated regularly and was last uploaded on 24 January 2025.
Ballindaggin Audit 27/11/2024
Year: 2025
Report of an audit carried out at Ballindaggin public drinking water supply Co. Wexford on 27/11/2024
Carrick on Suir (Crotty's Lake) Audit 05/12/2024
Year: 2025
Report of an audit carried out at Carrick on Suir (Crotty's Lake) public drinking water supply Co. Tipperary on 05/12/2024
Gowna Audit 14/11/2024
Year: 2025
Report of an audit carried out at Gowna public drinking water supply Co. Longford on 14/11/2024
Granard Audit 07/11/2024
Year: 2025
Report of an audit carried out at Granard public drinking water supply Co. Longford on 07/11/2024
Research 474: STEP_WISE: Spatiotemporal Epidemiology of Primary Waterborne Infections – Cryptosporidium and VTEC
Authors: Authors: Paul Hynds, Jean O’Dwyer and Martin Boudou, January 2025
Year: 2025
Ireland regularly reports the highest annual crude incidence of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) enteritis and cryptosporidiosis in Europe, it is typically 5–10 times the European average. Drivers of infections include short-term hydrometeorological conditions, elevated levels of pastoral agriculture and high reliance on septic tanks and private domestic groundwater sources. Forecasts suggest that Ireland will experience significant hydrometeorological pattern changes due to global warming. The STEP_WISE project focused on increasing scientific understanding of the spatiotemporal mechanisms associated with waterborne VTEC enteritis and cryptosporidiosis in Ireland, and determining how these findings could be translated into enhanced environmental, infrastructural and healthcare policies. The research findings provide policy actors with valuable information to address transmission sources, pathways and source–pathway interactions associated with both infections in Ireland.
List of priority urban areas
Year: 2025
The list of priority areas where treatment must improve to resolve national environmental priorities (as at mid December 2024).
Hydrology Summary Bulletin - December 2024
Hydrology bulletin on rainfall, river flows, lake levels, groundwater levels and spring outflows for December 2024., January 2025
Year: 2025
Hydrology Summary Bulletin outlining the flows in rivers, rainfall, lake and turlough levels, groundwater levels and spring outflows of over 300 stations across Ireland for the month.
EPA Oversight and Performance Delivery Agreement 2024-2026
Oversight and Performance Delivery Agreement 2024-2026 , January 2025
Year: 2025
Oversight Agreement 2024-2026 between the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and between the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
EoW Criteria for Recycled Polyester Pads ceasing to be a waste under Regulation 28 of the European Union (Waste Directive) Regulations 2011 – 2020
Recycled Polyester Pads ceasing to be Waste, January 2025
Year: 2025