Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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231. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria for the proposed pay-by-weight charges including if he will provide concessions for families who generate more refuse due to health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11462/16]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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239. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to state the allowances or exemptions for the pay-by-weight waste charges for persons generating unavoidable waste due to chronic medical conditions. [11547/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 239 together.

My Department has met with groups who represent persons with special needs to discuss and explore the impact of pay-by-weight charging on households with special needs. My Department has also been in consultation with the HSE and the waste management industry to discuss the issue and to try to find a workable and fair solution to this important matter. Notwithstanding the complexity of the issues involved, I am hopeful that a number of possible solutions being explored as a matter of urgency can address these difficult issues.