Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It is a measure of availability or uptime, of whether the machine can be used. The error message is sometimes misleading, in that it can say that the machine is broken when it is actually just full or needs paper to print receipts.

The Deputy is asking how we can go from 86% to 95%, which is the normal amount. First, the retailers are on a learning curve about how frequently they have to empty the bins, change the paper and clean out the machines. Second, the public will become more used to using the machines. Sometimes, the machines have not been used correctly. People might expect to be able to return a plastic bottle that contains oil or shampoo. Some of those liquids have managed to get into the machines, leading to the retailers having to clean them out. People will realise what is accepted and what is not. For example, dairy is not accepted. Only drinks are accepted. This realisation will help as well. Third, there are six suppliers, which have variable rates of availability. Each supermarket chain has gone with a particular supplier. Some of the suppliers are doing better than others. There is a learning curve for some of the suppliers that have experienced issues.