Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 524: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he intends to introduce competitive tendering for household waste collection under which service providers will have to bid to provide waste collection services in a given area, as per the commitment in the programme for Government; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are numerous bin collections by different bin companies on estates throughout the week, sometimes three days a week at all hours of the morning and this is having a detrimental impact on the quality of life of local residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41127/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce competitive tendering for household waste collection, under which 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.

A public consultation designed to inform policy development concluded in September 2011. A large number of responses were received from a broad spectrum of interests. As one might expect, a consensus is not apparent and, on almost all of the relevant issues, a considerable breadth of opinion was expressed. Many responses cited concerns such as the potentially adverse impact of franchise bidding on waste collection firms and the loss of the benefits of ongoing, side-by-side competition. Other responses pointed to the reduction in the numbers of refuse collection vehicles operating on specific streets, the possible significant savings for householders and the potential for improved environmental outcomes if franchise bidding were introduced. All of the responses received, in addition to a summary document, are available on my Department's website.

The responses are being examined and a Regulatory Impact Assessment, which will inform Government's deliberations, is also being prepared. I expect to be in a position to submit final proposals to Government early this year.