Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004
262 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether there is an anomaly in that pensioners and others who would normally be entitled to either total or partial waiver in respect of refuse charges are unable to obtain same when the local authority has contracted out the collection system to a private operator; and if the regulations will be amended in order that this anomaly can be removed. [18318/04]
View answerThe provision by a local authority of a waiver in respect of all or part of a charge in respect of the provision of a waste service by, or on behalf of, that authority is solely a matter for the local authority concerned. Nevertheless, inconsistencies in the availability of waivers and related issues connected with waste charges have been brought to my attention in discussions with the social partners in the context of the Sustaining Progress special initiatives. I have indicated that the matter would be given further consideration, in conjunction with the Department of Social and Family Affairs, and an examination of the issues involved is now under way.
