asked the Minister for Local Government if waste paper for reprocessing is collected by any Government agency or local authority.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waste Paper Collection.
20.
As regards direct collection the answer, as far as I am aware, is no. A certain amount of waste paper is collected commercially, with the co-operation, in Dublin, of the local authority, and various voluntary and parish organisations are also involved.
The possibility of a direct local authority involvement is not being overlooked, although the indications are that it would be entirely uneconomic for local authorities to provide a general waste paper collection service under present conditions.
I am aware that some years ago the collection of waste paper by local authorities was uneconomical. Now apparently it is economical to import vast quantities of waste paper from the US. Surely the matter should be reviewed? Would the Minister have it looked at again?
I mentioned it to some commercial firms who I thought would be interested, but apparently they do not think it would be economical. I do no know why. I agree with Deputy Lemass that it seems peculiar that so much paper is treated as waste in this country into which large quantities are being imported. I have been asking local authorities to do what they can to help. I will give anybody who wants it co-operation or assistance in so far as I am able.
In view of the fact that certain charitable organisations find it profitable to collect waste paper, why can it not be made profitable for local authorities to do the same?
The simple answer is that they have it collected free whereas local authorities would have to pay those who collect it.
Does the Minister know are there any Government agencies or local authorities which supply waste paper, as distinct from collecting it, to charitable organisations or others who are collecting it for reprocessing?
I am not aware of any specific authorities who do this. For reasons other than my position as Minister, I am aware that local authorities and similar bodies shred paper and make it available to people who call for it—paper which is of no further use to them. This should be encouraged and I should be delighted to give any assistance I can to have this done.