Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 507: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 153 of 10 October, 2006 his views on whether the refuse collection fee should be the same throughout the country; if the Government cannot resolve this matter then should old and incapacitated persons receive the waiver within the household package with a common fee allocated to each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34466/06]

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 Environment, Heritage and Local Government, a matter for each local authority. The introduction of a national social welfare scheme to address the issue, for example as part of the household budget scheme, would be complex given the wide range of charging regimes and cost structures that exist in respect of waste management throughout the State. For example I am not sure that a common fee allocated to each local authority would be appropriate given the fact that charges do vary across local authorities and even within local authorities where there is more than one provider. In addition, some local authorities already operate waiver schemes. Any system put in place to assist vulnerable people who rely on private domestic waste collection would have to take account of and be sensitive to the different local arrangements.

I have asked my Department to continue to explore possible options for helping vulnerable people and to keep me informed of developments.