Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to ensure specific producer responsibility requirements for construction and demolition projects over certain thresholds, with recycling and waste management requirements enforced through mandatory compliance bonds. [14203/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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An initiative has been in place to promote environmentally sustainable management of construction and demolition waste for a number of years and Best Practice Guidelines on the Preparation of Waste Management Plans for Construction & Demolition Projects were published in 2006. The purpose of the Guidelines is to promote an integrated approach to construction and demolition waste management throughout the duration of a project. They are designed to promote sustainable development, environmental protection and the optimum use of resources.

To address the Programme for Government objective, I recently announced that I intend to carry out a review of the performance of the existing producer responsibility schemes to ensure that they are delivering effectively both for their members and for Ireland. This review will include the construction and demolition waste stream and it is hoped that it will assist in determining how the management and recovery of this waste can be further improved.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans, in the absence of a publicly provided waste collection system, to introduce a public service obligation for private operators which would require a fee waiver scheme for low-income households. [14204/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government indicates that the Government will introduce competitive tendering for local household waste collection services. It is envisaged that service providers would bid to provide waste collection services in a given area, for a given period of time and to a guaranteed level of service, including a public service obligation in respect of a waiver scheme for low income households. Such a restructuring of household waste collection markets will strengthen competition, enhance service levels and improve environmental outcomes. In addition, the introduction of competitive tendering will broaden the scope to achieve other goals, including in respect of a waste collection charge waiver scheme for low-income households.

I will shortly publish a discussion document on the introduction of competitive tendering, seeking the views of householders, businesses, service providers and other participants in the waste industry, to help inform policy development.