Timmy Dooley
Ceist:398. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated first and full-year cost of operating a bottle deposit scheme. [50989/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 29 November 2017
Ceisteanna (398)
Freagraí scríofa
In July 2014, the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government published a Review of the Producer Responsibility Initiative model in Ireland. As part of this review, a wider examination of issues within the packaging sphere (which includes bottles) was undertaken and consideration was given to the introduction of a deposit and refund scheme. The review report did not recommend the introduction of a deposit and refund scheme and concluded that to establish such a scheme was inappropriate, in view of the operation of the existing successful packaging scheme (operated by Repak). It also pointed to current policies concerning household waste collection and the high administrative costs of introducing such a system.
Notwithstanding this, on foot of a Private Members' Bill tabled by Deputy Ryan recently, I have asked the Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and the Environment to look at the merits of a deposit and refund scheme at a national level in the context of the associated costs and the contribution to the attainment of our national waste targets under EU legislation. I am awaiting the outcome of this before taking any further action.
I am not aware of estimates for the cost of operating a deposit and refund system for any packaging in Ireland. However, a study carried out in Scotland on the subject estimates set-up and annual administration costs to be in the region of £77 million.
Questions Nos. 399 and 400 answered with Question No. 395.