I propose to take Questions Nos. 229, 256 and 268 together.
My Department has met with groups who represent persons with special needs to discuss and explore the impact of pay-by-weight charging on households with special needs. My Department has also been in consultation with the HSE and the waste management industry to discuss the issue and to try to find a workable and fair solution to this important matter.
As part of a way forward in relation to the phased implementation of pay-by-weight charging for household waste, the waste management industry has committed to provide a full weight allowance to the estimated 60,000 patients supplied with incontinence wear to reduce their annual household waste charges; the additional weight attributed to non-infancy incontinence wear will be collected free of charge. For its part, the Government is prepared to allow a 50% exemption from the landfill levy in respect of such waste.