Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 458: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the discussions he has had with the Department of Finance in the matter of the introduction of a national waiver scheme for refuse charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15183/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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There have been no formal discussions with the Department of Finance in relation to a waiver scheme for refuse charges. 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 Environment, Heritage and Local Government, a matter for each local authority.

The introduction of a national social welfare scheme to address the issue would be complex given the wide range of charging regimes and cost structures that exists 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 be sensitive to the different local arrangements. I intend to keep the matter under review and to monitor the experiences of welfare customers under the various charging systems and cost structures.