Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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650. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if a person is in contravention of Part III Section 6(1)(c) of the Household Food Waste and Bio-Waste Regulations 2013 where there is no company offering such a service, as mandated under Part II Section 5(1) of the same regulations; if they are in contravention does the liability fall to the company that is in contravention of Part II Section 5(1); if the services as required under Part III Section (2)(b) are available in every local authority. [12923/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In line with the objectives of the national waste policy, A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, in terms of maximising the resource potential and minimising the disposal of our waste, the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2013 are designed to promote the segregation and recovery of household food waste. The Regulations impose obligations on both householders and waste collectors.

Under articles 4 and 5 of the Regulations, household waste collectors are required to provide, or arrange for the provision of, a separate collection service for food waste from households for population agglomerations in accordance with the following time schedule:

- 1 July 2013 - for population centres greater than 25,000 persons;

- 31 December 2013 - for population centres greater than 20,000 persons;

- 1 July 2014 - for population centres greater than 10,000 persons;

- 1 July 2015 - for population centres greater than 1,500 persons; and

- 1 July 2016 - for population centres greater than 500 persons.

Under article 6, householders are required to ensure either that they:

- source segregate their food waste, keeping it separate from non-biodegradable materials, other waste and contaminants and make it available for collection by an authorised waste collector; or

- subject the food waste to a home composting process; or

- bring the food waste to an authorised facility with a view to its composting or anaerobic digestion or treatment in a way which fulfils a high level of environmental protection.

Enforcement of the Regulations is a matter for the local authorities and in cases where a collector has failed to provide a food waste collection service in a defined brown bin area, affected householders should contact the local authority concerned who have significant enforcement powers under the Regulations to secure compliance by both waste collectors and householders.