Dublin City Council has said it will give more than €20 million to local community projects if proposals for a new incinerator get the go-ahead.

In yesterday's opening of the oral hearing to decide whether or not to grant a licence for the planned waste incinerator, the council's Assistant City Manager Matt Twomey said a community gain fund would be set up for the Poolbeg and general catchment areas.

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He said the €20.5 million fund would consist of an initial lump sum of €8 million, followed by subsequent payments of €500,000, paid every year for 25 years.

The plant, which will thermally treat up to 600,000 tonnes of waste annually, was given the go-ahead by An Bord Pleanála last year. The council must now obtain a licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to run the plant.

The oral hearing also heard from residents who oppose the plant. It was told that local residents have suffered from brain tumours and cancer as a result of on-going pollution. An increase in trucks - approximately 30,000 every year in Dublin South East - was also cited as a major concern for residents.

The hearing continues.

(VB/JM)