Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 to 92, inclusive, together.

The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been in operation since the 1st of February. Both the Department and Re-turn, the DRS operator, are monitoring the scheme closely and I receive regular updates on its performance.

To date:

• There are currently 2,529 retail return points across the country. The vast majority of retailers (2,302) are using automated collection via Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) while 227 retailers have opted for a manual, over-the-counter collection system.
• To date almost 7 million empty containers have been returned. Of this, 3.4 million (49%) are plastic bottles and 3.6 million (51%) are cans.
• €1.2 million has been refunded.

A transition period will remain in place until 1^st June 2024 to manage the selling off of old stock and the introduction of new, Re-turn logo-ed stock. During this transition period, some drinks containers will continue to be sold without a deposit charged. Only containers for which a deposit has been paid will be accepted at RVMs.

Customers who have been charged a deposit on a drinks container will get their deposit back when they return the empty container. Should a retailer refuse to take-back or refund a container on which a deposit has been paid, Re-turn, the DRS operator, has advised customers to contact it by email at info@re-turn.ie or by phone at (LoCall) 1800 852 752.

Deposits which are not refunded are referred to as unredeemed deposits. As set out in the DRS Regulations, unredeemed deposits are retained by Re-turn to be put back into the Scheme and used to fund the operations of the DRS.