Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020
617. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will begin the process of remunicipalisation of waste collection services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13538/20]
View answerLocal authorities are responsible for municipal waste collection within their functional areas. The obligations on local authorities in relation to collecting household waste are set out in section 33 of the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended. In summary, it provides that each local authority shall collect, or arrange for the collection of, household waste within its functional area. The obligation to collect or arrange for the collection of household waste shall not apply if: - an adequate waste collection service is available in the local authority's functional area,
- the estimated costs of the collection of the waste would, in the opinion of the local authority, be unreasonably high, or
- the local authority is satisfied that adequate arrangements for the disposal of the waste concerned can reasonably be made by the holder of the waste.
It is open to any local authority to re-enter the waste collection market as direct service providers if they so choose. Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 I am, as Minister, precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it. However, I will soon be bringing forward an ambitious new waste policy which will include new measures to reform and strengthen waste collection, while enhancing the position of the consumer.
