John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will consider introducing a waste allowance to accommodate those who, owing to the fact that their waste is collected by a private firm, are unable to avail of the waivers they would be entitled to if they lived in local authority areas in which waste collection has not been privatised. [13621/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The setting of waste management charges and the introduction of waivers in respect of waste charges is, as stated by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, a matter for each local authority.

The introduction of a national social welfare scheme to address the issue is not considered feasible given the wide range of charging regimes and cost levels that exist in respect of waste management throughout the State. Any system put in place to assist people who rely on private domestic waste collection would have to take account of different local circumstances and it is a matter for the local authorities concerned to ensure that any necessary arrangements are in place locally to avoid hardship for people on social welfare payments and others on low incomes.