Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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146. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he expects to introduce a deposit-and-return scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans as per the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22849/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, launched last September, sets out a clear roadmap for the introduction of a Deposit and Return Scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and aluminium cans in the third quarter of 2022. This process began with the launch of a public consultation on the design of a DRS for Ireland in October last and a second consultation is currently underway seeking views on the legislative framework to underpin it. The final legislative framework will be introduced in the third quarter of this year.

A working group, chaired by my Department and consisting of beverage producers, retailers, eNGOs and waste collectors, has been set up to progress the design of the system by the date set out in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy.