Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 502: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the guidance which has been given to local authorities regarding the licensing of waste collection operators; if a minimum level of service is recommended or enforced by his Department and local authorities with regard to such licensed operators, for example the collection frequency of residual waste and recycling materials; if consideration has been given to the sanitary aspects of refuse sitting uncollected for lengthy periods of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37809/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Section 33 of the Waste Management Act 1996, provides that relevant local authorities shall collect, or arrange for the collection of, household waste other than in certain circumstances, including where an adequate collection service is otherwise available. My Department has no function in this regard.

Section 34(1)(a) makes provision for a waste collection permit system. Under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2001, as amended, a commercial waste collector is required to hold a waste collection permit issued by the relevant local authority. The regulations set out procedures for the making of permit applications, public consultation, consideration by local authorities of public submissions in relation to permit applications, and the grant, refusal and review of permits by authorities. It is open to local authorities to attach conditions to permits regarding the frequency with which residual waste and recyclables should be collected.

In addition, local authorities are empowered under section 35 of the Act to make by-laws in respect of the presentation of waste for collection. Such by-laws may prescribe the location and times at which waste is to be made available for collection.