Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1002: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he would introduce a national waiver scheme for refuse services, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government specifically targeted to help social welfare recipients and people on low incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28681/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The setting of waste management charges and the introduction of waivers inrespect 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 exist in respect of waste management throughout the State. Charges vary across local authorities and some local authorities already operate waiver schemes. 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 have asked my Department to keep this issue under review.