Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 June 2012
405 Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he intends to implement recommendation 22 of the International Review of Waste Management Policy 2009, that is, that all households will be required to use, and pay for, the waste collection service provided by the local authority or its contractor once; and if competitive tendering is in place. [30833/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra406 Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he proposes to implement that part of the Programme for Government 2011, which provides for competitive tendering for local waste collection services, the appointment of a utilities regulator and a public service obligation to provide for a waiver scheme for low income households availing of a private collector; the steps that have already been taken to implement this part of the Government’s Sustainable Waste Policy. [30834/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 406 together.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce competitive tendering for household waste collection, under which service providers would bid to provide waste collection services in a given area, for a given period of time and to a guaranteed level of service, a system otherwise known as ‘franchise-bidding.'
A public consultation designed to inform the policy development process concluded in September 2011. A large number of responses were received from a broad spectrum of interests. A consensus is not apparent and, on almost all of the relevant issues, a considerable breadth of opinion was expressed. All of the responses received, in addition to a summary document, are available on my Department's website,www.environ.ie.
I expect to be in a position to finalise proposals for Government in relation to household waste collection in the coming weeks. All policy proposals will be carefully considered by Government and will take account of the full range of issues and perspectives, including the matter of waivers for low income households.
