Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 1503: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a scheme to provide waivers to senior citizens and low income families in local authority areas where refuse collection has been privatised will be initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2302/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with section 52 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, the determination of waste management charges and the provision of waivers are both matters for the relevant local authority where it acts as a service provider. Similarly, where a private operator provides the collection service, it is a matter for that operator to determine charges.

Waste management services traditionally have been provided at a local level, with individual arrangements being locally determined and tailored to local circumstances. The present legal framework as determined by the Oireachtas reflects this. I do not consider it appropriate to propose a departure from these existing statutory provisions, which reflect the local nature of waste management services, by introducing a scheme of waivers in areas where the relevant local authority no longer considers it necessary to provide a household collection service.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 1504: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Waterford County Council recently has introduced an annual waste services charge of €130 per household in Dungarvan town and a charge of €150 per household in the rest of the county; his views on whether these charges are contrary to the policy set out in his Department's publication, Taking Stock and Moving Forward, of waste charges being based on the weight and volume of waste produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2337/06]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 1505: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the fact that Waterford County Council has no waiver system in place for waste service charges; his further views on whether the introduction of charges of €130 per household in Dungarvan town and €150 per household in the rest of the county will cause real hardship to low-income families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2338/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1504 and 1505 together.

In accordance with section 52 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, the determination of waste management charges, and any associated waiver scheme, is a matter for the relevant local authority, where it acts as the service provider. Local authorities and central Government are working together to comply with the polluter pays principle, as this is a core element of national and EU environmental policy, including in the area of waste management. In accordance with this policy, all of society must be encouraged to reduce, reuse and recycle waste to the maximum extent possible.

To encourage households to minimise their waste, all local authorities and private waste operators were asked to begin a switch to use based charging arrangements from the start of 2005. In accordance with Government policy, as set out in Taking Stock and Moving Forward, collectors have discretion as to the types of systems to be used, provided that the key principle of use-based charging is respected.

My Department understands that both Waterford County Council and Dungarvan Town Council have introduced new charging systems which comprise an annual standing charge, to cover the fixed costs associated with providing the collection service, coupled with a use-based charge per bin lift which varies in cost depending on the type of waste being presented — municipal, biodegradable or recyclables. The standing charge element of €130 to €150 per annum is seen as necessary to cover the fixed costs, for example, staff costs, truck, maintenance, insurance, transport to nearest landfill etc., of providing the weekly collection service to each customer. These fixed costs of providing a regular household service are incurred by the collector whether or not a bin is presented for emptying.