Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, outlined the Government's commitment to the principle of pay-by-weight charging for waste in terms of better environmental outcomes and the capacity to allow householders better opportunities to manage their waste costs. Research indicates that more than 440,000 tonnes of waste material could be diverted from landfill under a pay-by-weight charging system and its introduction will undoubtedly assist the State to achieve regional waste targets, in complying with national recycling and landfill targets under EU legislation, as well as making sure we will be well placed to meet future and more ambitious targets, for example, under the European Union's current circular economy package. However, we are aware of the public disquiet in response to the pricing plans proposed earlier this month by the waste industry as part of the nationwide roll-out of pay-by-weight charging and the impact on perceptions of the pay-by-weight system. The delayed release of the price plans, with only a few weeks to go to their coming into effect, has further confused matters.

In our meetings and discussions with representatives of the waste industry in recent days both the Minister and I raised concerns about - I sought justification for it - the reported escalation of waste charges for customers, especially some proposed increases in service or standing fees. We do not accept that companies should use the national transition to what is a more sustainable and better means of both charging for and managing waste to resolve long-standing issues concerning a cohort of customers who have unsustainably low waste fees. Although it is less than ideal to alter arrangements so close to the 1 July introduction date, the Government has been quick to act and is prepared to ensure we get it right, even if it means building in a transition phase to ensure a smoother and fairer shift to pay-by-weight charging in due course. The Government has set out a clear and fair way forward that will result in customers paying no more than they currently pay for waste in the next 12 months to avoid significant price increases for some households in their waste bills from next month. The operation of the price freeze by the waste industry will be monitored and if there is evidence that it is not being honoured, the Government is prepared to bring forward further legislative amendments to enforce it.

Another key part of the solution is that where households do apply the principle of pay-by-weight charging and reduce their residual or black bin waste, they should have the option to change over to a pay-by-weight contract to enjoy the benefits. To some extent, the implementation of pay-by-weight charging is being phased in, with a transition period being introduced to give households time to adapt to the new system and learn how to more effectively manage their waste. In the coming months households will be provided in their bills with details of the amount of waste they are presenting for collection, their costs under their current price plan and details of the comparative pay-by-weight price. In parallel, the Government, in partnership with the waste industry, will drive an intensive public awareness, information and promotion campaign to support customers in understanding the new system, how they can change their waste management behaviour and better manage their waste costs under the pay-by-weight system.

As the Minister alluded to, the Government welcomes the commitment from the waste industry to provide a full weight allowance to the estimated 60,000 patients supplied with incontinence wear by the HSE. The issue was raised by many speakers and genuine concerns were expressed previously by carers. The issue is being addressed. By arranging to collect the additional weight attributed to non-infancy incontinence wear free of charge, the waste collection companies will significantly reduce the annual waste charges of the households affected.

In overall terms, waste which cannot be prevented, if segregated and managed properly, can help to generate products, materials, energy and jobs. Government policy has been framed to minimise the generation of waste and maximise the potential of waste as a resource. Pay-by-weight charging is one policy measure to assist us to make the move to a circular economy. In that regard, I look forward to the coming 12 months when householders will be able to see the benefits of pay-by-weight charging for themselves in managing their costs, the advantages for the State in meeting waste targets and stimulating economic activity and the benefits to the environment through less waste being generated and sent to landfill. That is the basis of the charges, namely, to ensure we try to reduce the amount of waste being produced, being sent to landfill and that will be incinerated. We acknowledged the genuine concerns expressed in many cases and with the Minister and others, I intervened to allay fears and provide a welcome breathing space of 12 months. I hope that in the course of the next 12 months a fairer and better system will be put in place according to the principles of the polluter pays and pay-by-weight charging.

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