Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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86. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the re-turn scheme; to report on how the scheme is monitored and regulated; to report on how unclaimed deposits will be used (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27564/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme, whereby producers are given responsibility for the collection and disposal of their products in line with existing successful EPRs for other consumer products such Batteries, Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) and Tyres.

As with the other EPRs, it is the responsibility of producers to establish and to nominate an operator of the scheme for approval by the Minister. All EPRs operate under minimum requirements set out in the Waste Management Act and in accordance with a Code of Corporate Governance developed for EPR schemes, which is published on the Department's website. Re-turn must also comply with the DRS Regulations and the terms and conditions set out in their approval, issued in accordance with those Regulations. It is also subject to the Companies Act 2014 and oversight by the Company Registration Office and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. Officials from my Department are in regular contact with Re-turn, including through weekly meetings and the provision of daily performance metrics.

Re-turn is a not-for-profit CLG set up by beverage producers to meet their obligations under the DRS Regulations. Re-turn is responsible for all operational and funding matters relating to the DRS. While I have no function in the business operations of this company, I am is satisfied that there are appropriate regulatory and administrative controls in place to monitor the performance of the Scheme.

To date, almost €38m has been refunded to consumers and Re-turn retains an open-ended liability to refund deposits to consumers, regardless of when the product was purchased. Any unclaimed deposits will be retained by Re-turn and will be reinvested in the scheme for recycling initiatives to reduce litter and promote better recycling practices in communities across Ireland.