Financial assistance for the purpose indicated is not provided by my Department. The determination of waste charges is statutorily a matter for the relevant local authority in cases where it acts as the service provider. Where, as commonly occurs, a private operator acts as a service provider then that operator will determine the charges. With a view to facilitating increased recycling of waste, my Department has already provided significant capital grant assistance from the environment fund to local authorities towards the provision of recycling and recovery facilities. Funding is also being provided on an ongoing basis towards meeting the current operating costs of such facilities.