Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on expanding the free schemes initiative to include a waiver of fees for the collection of household waste; if there are proposals within his Department for such waiver of contribution towards the cost of waste collection for the elderly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37262/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The introduction of waivers or subsidies 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.

Waste collection and charging arrangements vary considerably and 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. Some local authorities already operate waiver schemes and any system put in place to assist people with waste collection charges would ideally have to take account of the implications for the different local arrangements which currently apply. I have asked my Department to continue to explore possible options in this area.