Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
1258. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 422 of 5 December 2017, the position regarding the issue; his views on whether the proposed €75 annual support will be sufficient to support the households in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1675/18]
View answer1274. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the figure of €75 was determined in respect of the grant allocated to qualifying families under the pay-by-weight scheme; if this is the maximum grant figure; the consultation process undertaken or to be undertaken with relevant stakeholders; the procedures in place for the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55069/17]
View answer1302. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the specific terms of a scheme (details supplied); when it will be fully introduced; the number of persons who have received payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1534/18]
View answer1343. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he will finalise and issue the criteria and application process for the annual support scheme for persons who have lifelong or long-term medical incontinence in the context of a move to pay-by-weight bin charges (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2099/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1258, 1274, 1302 and 1343 together.
In line with the commitments set out in A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, published in 2012, and in the interest of encouraging further waste prevention and greater recycling, flat-rate fees for kerbside household waste collection are being phased out over the period autumn 2017 to autumn 2018, as customers contracts come up for renewal. The necessary regulatory steps have been put in place to give effect to this measure.
It is worth noting that this measure is not ‘new’ for about half of kerbside household waste customers, who are already on an incentivised usage pricing plan, i.e., a plan which contains a per lift or weight related fee.
As announced in mid-2017, mandatory per kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging is not being introduced. Allowing for a range of charging options, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste, provides flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances. Consequently, a pure kilogramme charge for waste collection may not be selected by some households. Instead, some households may use a ‘per lift’ type charge or a ‘weight allowance’ collection service.
An annual support of €75 will be introduced as soon as possible this year and made available for persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence. This will help people meet the average annual cost of disposal of medical incontinence products. My Department is in discussion with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive with a view to finalising the details and arrangements of the support as soon as possible, following further consultation with stakeholder groups.
