Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 1823: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will facilitate the introduction of a national waiver scheme for waste collection charges to be administered by local authorities and which shall be available from all refuse collection operators; if he will instruct his Department officials to draw up guidelines for such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1265/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Waste management services have traditionally 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. 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. Similarly, where a private operator provides the collection service, it is a matter for that operator to determine charges. However, my Department has asked local authorities to engage with commercial waste collectors to agree on arrangements to assist lower income households by offering alternatives to periodic lump-sum payments.

In August last year, I published a consultation paper on options for future regulation of the waste sector. Submissions were invited on whether there is a need for a regulator for the sector, if so on what model of regulator might be most appropriate and on what powers any such regulator should be given. Among the possible powers discussed in the paper is the power to impose a public service obligation so that services can be extended to situations which do not provide a fully economic return. Following consideration of the submissions received, which is currently underway, I intend to finalise further policy proposals.