Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I hope to include as part of the national policy an obligation for a waiver for low income families. That has worked well in many local authorities. It has been an expensive provision for local authorities in the past but, nevertheless, it is a valuable policy instrument to assist people, particularly those on low incomes and in receipt of social welfare benefit, to ensure they are able to comply with the waste regulations.

A good deal of work has been carried out and the Deputy will be aware of the submissions that have been made. Local authorities have found this to be a very expensive system to operate. It has been largely privatised now but it must be properly regulated and, under the new waste policy, we will seek to regulate the waste industry properly and ensure that people get a service in every part of the country - there are many parts of the country where people do not have a service - at affordable rates in a competitive environment.

See this speech in context