Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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220. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in detail, the maximum weight per bag which waste company operators are permitted to collect, in the context of environmental and workplace regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24054/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Waste Management (Collection Permit)(Amendment) Regulations 2015 provide that household kerbside waste only be collected in approved reusable receptacles (such as bins/caddies) from 1 July 2016, with the exception of the collection of such waste in areas designated by local authorities as being only suitable for the collection of such waste in non-reusable receptacles, such as bags. This means bags are being phased out other than in very limited circumstances and in areas specifically designated by local authorities as having a need for continued bag collection services (due to accessibility issues etc), household kerbside waste cannot be collected in bags beyond 1 July 2016.

Waste legislation does not set out a maximum weight per waste receptacle collected. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has overall responsibility for the administration and enforcement of health and safety at work in Ireland. They monitor compliance with legislation at the workplace and are the national centre for information and advice to employers, employees and self-employed on all aspects of workplace health and safety.