Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
91. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures in place for the deposit return scheme for housebound or disabled persons who shop for groceries online and are unable to physically access the deposit return scheme in shops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11151/24]
View answer93. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he has taken to rectify the deposit return scheme, which is inaccessible in its current format for disabled people, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11127/24]
View answerWhat measures is the Minister taking with the deposit return scheme, which is inaccessible in its current format for disabled people?
I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 93 together.
The deposit return scheme was set up in such a way with the regulations published requiring that the scheme be accessible for all, so it is a legal requirement that participants in the scheme make sure their return point operations are accessible to everybody in the community. With that in mind, a set of suppliers was approved by Re-turn.ie so that these machines would be accessible. There was engagement with disability groups before the scheme went live. Since then, through the National Disability Authority and other disability groups, a forum is being convened so that, during the changeover period, any issues that arise regarding accessibility can be resolved. I know that Re-turn.ie is committed to making sure the scheme is accessible to all and that any changes that are needed to ensure everybody can access the scheme and use it as required are introduced. I give a commitment to support that.
The machines are too high for wheelchair users. They cannot reach the place where you actually input the bottles or cans. There is no Braille or raised marking on the cans or bottles for people who are blind or visually impaired. People who order their shopping online have no mechanism to return their bottles or cans. That is something that could be easily resolved working with the supermarkets or shops involved but, as yet, there is nothing. The machines and the actual logo are much more important. Wheelchair users need to be able to use the machines, return their bottles and recoup the money they have spent on them.
In the case of people having their bottles and cans delivered to their homes, Re-Turn is engaging with the national Meals on Wheels network to find a way to return bottles and cans to people so they can get their money back.
Regarding the accessibility of the machines, they should not be set at a height above 1.2 m to ensure people in wheelchairs can reach them. In terms of people who have a visual impairment, the machines should not require the use of a screen. In other words, they should be entirely usable without having to navigate a visual interface. The ticket should come out with the refund printed on it automatically without having to press a button. The scheme should be able to be used by people who are blind. I have directly engaged with people who are blind to ensure the scheme is usable in this way. We will, though, continue to work with all disability groups to ensure the scheme adapts and works for everybody in respect of best practice, in the same way it does in the other 40 countries in the world in which this technology has already been deployed.
