Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

My question was motivated by the fact that in housing estates one could have up to four collectors driving in and out on the same morning, which is not best practice. My question is whether the proposed change will damage competition and if there will be significant price increases. The Minister appears to suggest local authorities would licence one operator for Kilkenny, Drogheda or wherever else and that it would have the franchise for the area. What measures are being taken to prevent that from happening? What guidelines are in place for operators? Will local authorities control the franchising of the service? Will Louth County Council or Drogheda Borough District Council be responsible for the waste collection service in Drogheda? I would welcome more detail in that regard.

Has the Minister advanced any plans for a waiver scheme for low income households as part of the review process? Some local authorities provide waiver schemes for pensioners and other low income households.

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