Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 753: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on introducing a waiver system for refuse charges for older people and people on low incomes. [1960/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The setting of waste management charges and the introduction of waivers in respect of waste charges is, as has been stated in this House on many occasions, a matter for each local authority. Local authorities operate under the auspices of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The introduction of a national social welfare scheme to address the issue would not be feasible 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 within local authorities where there is more than one provider. Some local authorities and private operators already operate waiver schemes but, again, the qualifying conditions for these schemes also vary. There are no plans to introduce a waiver scheme through the social welfare system.