John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will introduce a national waste services waiver scheme for old age pensioners and other social welfare recipients; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a large variation of such schemes being operated by local authorities and that some authorities have no scheme at all; his views on whether there should be equality of treatment in all local authority areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16172/08]

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. In addition, some local authorities and private operators already operate waiver schemes but the qualifying conditions for these schemes also vary. Any system put in place to assist people with waste collection charges would have to take account of the different local arrangements.

My officials have discussed this issue with their counterparts in the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and I understand that they do not have any plans at present to introduce a national waiver scheme.