Billy Timmins
Question:460 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in regard to reduction of payment for recycling bins for persons over 70 years of age. [4475/09]
View answerTuesday, 10 February 2009
Questions (406)
Written answers
Waste management services have traditionally been provided at a local level, with individual arrangements being locally determined and tailored to local circumstances. The present legal framework, as determined by the Oireachtas, reflects this. In accordance with section 52 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, the determination of waste management charges and any associated waiver scheme is a matter for the relevant local authority, where it acts as the service provider. Similarly, where a private operator provides the collection service, it is a matter for that operator to determine charges. I have no statutory function in the determination of charges or waivers. Significant regulatory issues have emerged as waste management services have rapidly evolved in recent years. These issues, which have been the subject of formal public consultation, include the need for appropriate reflection of necessary public service criteria in relation to the provision of services in particular areas or in respect of specific households. The existing regulatory framework requires modernisation. The identification of the changes necessary will be greatly assisted by the OECD review of the public service, which included a specific case study on waste management, and will be implemented in the context of the overall review of national waste management policy provided for in the Programme for Government and now under way. My Department has also recently received the report by the Ombudsman of waste waiver schemes administered by local authorities. It is giving the report, particularly the recommendations contained in it, full consideration. The revised approach to the collection of household waste being taken by the Dublin local authorities will further inform what measures may be necessary to underpin sustainable waste collection services, whether delivered by the private or public sectors. In these contexts, the appropriate policy responses will be developed and elaborated.