Eamon Ryan
Ceist:70 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the views within her Department on the findings of the Combat Poverty Agency report on the effect of local authority service charges on the poor. [29021/03]
Written Answers. - Anti-Poverty Strategy.
The report to which the Deputy refers, Waste Collection Charges and Low-Income Households was prepared by the Combat Poverty Agency at the request of the National Advisory Committee of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS. The committee was concerned about the impact of waste charges on low-income households.
The report highlights the complexity of the issue, which is characterised by significant local variation as regards waste collection methods, charges, payment arrangements and financial impact on households. This variation is reflected in the fact, noted in the report, that some MABS offices identified waste charges as an issue for their clients while others did not. With a view to having a uniform approach to waiver arrangements, the report recommends, among other things, that guidelines for such a national waiver scheme might be drawn up by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in consultation with the MABS, Combat Poverty Agency, my Department and community and voluntary sector interests. It also advocates more widespread application of payment mechanisms that reflect the budgeting patterns of-low income households and the enhancement of recycling facilities for those in low-income households. My Department is examining the report at present and will consider, in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the desirability and feasibility of implementing its recommendations.