Vol. 519 No. 3
195 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, his Department has to provide funding to local authorities experiencing problems in providing refuse services within their regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13927/00]
The October 1998 policy statement on waste management, Changing our Ways, recognises as fundamental to efficient waste management that producers of waste pay fully for its collection, treatment and disposal, and it specifically recommends that local authorities move rapidly towards full cost recoupment for waste services that they provide. This position is fully consistent with the application of the polluter pays principle to waste services.
Local authorities are empowered by the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (No. 2) Act, 1983, to charge for such services. The imposition and level of such charges is a matter for each local authority and one in which I have no function.
