Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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166. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of introducing a deposit return scheme here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20823/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I will shortly be publishing an ambitious new Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy which will include a range of specific measures to reform and strengthen how we manage our waste with particular emphasis on single use plastics and packaging. The Action Plan will set out a clear roadmap for the introduction of a producer-funded Deposit and Return Scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and aluminium cans, in line with the commitment set out in the Programme for Government. As a first step in this process I will initiate a public consultation on design options for a DRS in the Autumn. Alongside this, I will be publishing a report commissioned by my Department on the introduction of a DRS. This report includes costs estimates for producers that are broadly similar to the €76m to €116m identified by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment in its consideration of the introduction of a DRS in 2018.