Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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134. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to introduce amendments to Statutory Instrument No. 24 of 2016 to prevent excessive service charges being applied by domestic waste collection companies and to ensure the polluter-pays-principle as required by the same instrument is observed. [16484/16]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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135. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the case of a waste management company (details supplied) which is changing its charging regime to allow for far higher service charges for many customers, especially older persons, resulting in much higher bills for those concerned before any use of the same bins; and if he will review Statutory Instrument No. 24 of 2016 in view of this practice which means those with the lowest use of waste collection services will see the biggest increase in bills. [16485/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together.

In an open market, it has been a matter for the collector to set charges, including service charges, at the level they consider to be competitive, in compliance with the requirements of environmental and other applicable legislation. Excessive pricing by individual companies will offer the opportunity for rival operators to provide their services at a cheaper price.   

Given that the charging systems are moving to a more standardised format across the country, householders should be able to more easily compare the charges of different providers under the new system and choose the option that suits them best or is most cost effective.

Under pay-by-weight charging for household waste collection, there is an opportunity for everybody to have more control over their waste charges and to minimise their waste costs by preventing waste and segregating waste through using the food waste and recyclable waste bins effectively. In this regard, a pay-by-weight awareness campaign, launched on 18 May 2016, is being rolled out at national, regional and local levels over the coming days and weeks and will give invaluable advice to householders on minimising their waste management costs under pay-by-weight charging.

Notwithstanding the above, I intend to meet with waste industry representatives this week to discuss the transition to pay by weight charging.