Waste Management.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 October 2007

Wednesday, 10 October 2007

Ceisteanna (83)

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

152 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the income received by individual local authorities, he will put a national waiver scheme in place in relation to the collection of refuse charges which could be availed of by households on low income and whereby putting in place such a national waiver scheme he would ensure that local government is compensated by central Government through means of a direct payment to individual councils participating in the scheme. [22800/07]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)

Waste management services have traditionally been provided at a local level, with individual arrangements being locally determined and tailored to local circumstances. The present legal framework, as determined by the Oireachtas, reflects this. In accordance with section 52 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, the determination of waste management charges, and any associated waiver schemes, is a matter for the relevant local authority, where it acts as the service provider. Similarly, where a private operator provides the collection service, it is a matter for that operator to determine charges. My Department has completed a public consultation on issues surrounding the regulation of the waste management sector, including the need for any public service obligations in respect of collection services to certain households or in specific areas. The various submissions received and the issues raised will be considered further in the context of the review of waste management generally provided for in the Government's policy programme and which will shortly be initiated.