Written answers

Tuesday, 9 May 2017

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Waste Disposal Charges

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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575. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a detailed analysis to support the claim that 90% of households will pay less under the new pay-by-weight pricing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22047/17]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis 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.

I have indicated quite clearly that any system under consideration to encourage householders to prevent and segregate waste will encompass more than the previously proposed pay-by-weight per-kilogramme model. A review, which is ongoing, is seeking to facilitate the provision of options to householders on how they manage their waste costs, while still encouraging the reduction and recycling of waste. It is important to acknowledge that many people are already on plans which encourage waste prevention and segregation, including models which include an element of weight-based charging.

The figure quoted by the Deputy for the number of households that could do better under a pay-by-weight system was based on a study of a pay-by-weight model which was in operation in the south-west of the country, when compared to other pricing structures in that particular area.  The area chosen had a mix of urban and rural customers and pay-by-weight was long established, so that the customers in that particular area already had time and opportunity to adapt their behaviour to preventing and segregating waste.  The figures showed that households of 4 people or less in that area were better off under pay-by-weight and those figures were extrapolated, using CSO data on household size, to give an indication of the savings which were achievable.

As previously pointed out, I do not and will not have a role in setting the level of charges for waste collection. I would, however, like to see a system in operation whereby the prevention and segregation of waste was encouraged so that we reduce our reliance on landfills around the country.

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