Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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664. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of households availing of a three bin service, by local authority, in 2016 and in each of the past three years; the steps being taken to ensure that more households are covered by such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4031/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The most recent published figures for the number of households availing of a three bin collection service are set out in the report Performance Indicators in Local Authorities 2015which indicates that approximately 575,000 or 35% of households are availing of such a service.  A copy of the report is available on the Local Government Management Agency website at-http://www.lgma.ie/sites/default/files/2015-pi-report.pdf.

Under the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2015, household waste collectors are required to provide, or arrange for the provision of a separate collection service for food waste from households in designated brown bin areas. In accordance with the Regulatory Impact Assessment prepared for these Regulations, the roll-out of the brown bin has been phased in on a progressive basis, commencing on 1st July 2013. The timetable for when the Regulations take effect is as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

Since July of 2013, brown bins have been rolled out to most towns and villages across the country. The provision of a brown bin collection service, where it is technically and environmentally practical to do so, continues to be monitored by my Department, together with the regulatory authorities and industry representatives.