Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding bin waivers for low income households; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that private waste collection companies are now executing orders to customers for payments which require high up-front payments; if he will outline the assistance available to low income households who are unable to pay such high costs for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47991/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s new waste policy, A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland , was published in July 2012. Among the measures included in the policy is the establishment of an interdepartmental working group to report to Government with options to minimise the impact of waste charges on low income households. The working group, which comprises representatives of my Department and the Departments of Social Protection; Public Expenditure and Reform; Finance; and the Tánaiste's Office, is currently engaged in finalising its report for submission to Government.

Approaches to best address the impact of waste charges on low income households will be considered by Government following receipt of the report. I have also written to the industry setting out the requirement for the development of Customer Charters, so that all consumers can be clear as to the level of service and charging structures in place.