Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2180. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 4 October 2018, the status of a €75 support for persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence to assist with pay-by-weight bin charges; the reason for the delay in introducing the support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31951/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince mid-2017, a range of charging options have been operated, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste, and provide flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances. Mandatory per-kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging was not introduced. A Price Monitoring Group (PMG) was established in mid-2017 to monitor the ongoing cost of residential waste collection to homeowners across Ireland as the ‘flat-rate structure’ was being phased out. While fluctuations in prices and service offerings have been observed, the overall trend has been relative price stability.
My Department has engaged with relevant stakeholders, including representative organisations and public bodies, in an effort to see how best to provide a financial support to persons with long-term incontinence with respect to the disposal of medical incontinence wear.
Notwithstanding the complex issues at play, which are understandable given the sensitive nature of the medical data in question, I assure the Deputy that I continue to be committed to addressing this issue.
