Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 441: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the regulations that exist in regard to the standards that are operated by private companies providing a refuse collection service for local authorities; if he is satisfied that value for money is achieved and that the customer is receiving the best possible service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3574/12]

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 460: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a waste disposal company (details supplied) is in breach of competition law by insisting that customers pay a substantial fee at the beginning of a contract or collection year rather than in instalments, in view of the fact that this makes it significantly more difficult for the customer to change providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3971/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 441 and 460 together.

The charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, particularly the conditions attached to each waste collector's collection permit issued by the relevant local authority under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007, as amended. Waste collection in individual local authority areas may also be subject to local bye-laws. Matters of compliance with competition law are proper to the Competition Authority.

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 the policy development process 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. All of the responses received, in addition to a summary document, are available on my Department's website, www.environ.ie.

I expect to be in a position to submit final proposals in relation to household waste collection to Government early this year. All policy proposals will be carefully considered by Government and will take account of the full range of issues and perspectives. Issues including value for money and service standards will be among the issues for consideration in this context.

John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details as to when a national waiver system proposed in the programme for Government will be drawn up and implemented in view of the fact that Dublin City Council has, as of 16 January 2012, transferred its domestic waste collection to a privatised service. [3581/12]

Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 451: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the national bin waiver scheme is due to be introduced. [3865/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 442 and 451 together.

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 the policy development process 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 including in relation to the issue of waiver schemes. All of the responses received, in addition to a summary document, are available on my Department's website, www.environ.ie.

I expect to be in a position to submit final proposals in relation to household waste collection to Government early this year. All policy proposals will be carefully considered by Government and will take account of the full range of issues and perspectives. The position regarding waivers for low income households will be among the issues for consideration in this context.