Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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540. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the exemptions in place for households with medical grounds following the introduction of pay-by-weight refuse collection on 1 September 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29785/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.

The waste management industry had committed to providing a full weight allowance for the disposal of non-infancy incontinence wear to the estimated 60,000 patients supplied with such products by the HSE if a pay by weight per kilogramme charging system was introduced for household waste collection.

However, as the waste industry began releasing its proposed prices under pay-by-weight in June, 2016, the Government relayed its concern to the industry regarding the reported escalation of waste bills for customers of certain companies.

On foot of this, my Department engaged with representatives of the waste industry to agree a way forward that results in customers paying no more for the same level of service than they are currently paying for waste collection over the 12 months to 1 July 2017.  It is intended to roll out a comprehensive education and awareness programme on pay by weight so that more householders can make an informed decision around their preferred pricing plan in the coming months.  It is also the intention that the Government will review the operation of pay-by-weight and make decisions regarding its further roll-out, regulation and oversight by July 2017. The issue raised by the Deputy will be considered as part of the wider review of the operation and potential introduction of pay by weight.