Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, particularly the conditions attached to each waste collector's collection permit issued by the relevant local authority under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007, as amended. Waste collection in individual local authority areas may also be subject to local by-laws.

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 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 the Department's website.

I expect to be in a position to submit final proposals on household waste collection to the Government by Easter this year. All policy proposals will be carefully considered by the Government and will take account of the full range of issues and perspectives. Matters including pricing structures, waivers for low income households, uncollected waste and the regulatory regime in respect of inspection and enforcement will all be considered in this context. My policy objective is to put in place a system of regulation of household waste collection that provides the optimal mix of economic, environmental and social outcomes.

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