Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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75. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment on behalf of a transition year student at a school (details supplied), who is part of the Young Social Innovators programme, whether a mechanism could be introduced on the return deposit scheme machines to donate all or part of the returned deposit to charity. [46562/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) provides a great fund-raising opportunity for charities, schools, clubs and local groups. While the facility to allow a consumer donate directly from a reverse vending machine (RVM) is still at trial stage, there are a number of existing options for charities and communities to benefit from the Scheme.

‘Return for Children’ is a new charity fund-raising initiative launched by Re-turn, the DRS operator, and is designed for large-scale events such as festivals, concerts and sporting matches as it provides attendees with the option of donating their bottle and can deposits at designated Re-turn bins, with the proceeds going to the six national children’s charities who are supported by this initiative. To date, over €90,000 has been raised for the Return for Children initiative. An information pack is available on Re-turn’s website for any organisation wishing to participate in this initiative.

There has also been high interest from other charity and community groups who wish to participate in DRS and almost 2,000 groups have registered with Re-turn for fund-raising activities. Re-turn are providing bins or bags where appropriate and information packs are available on the Re-turn website so assist with communications and signage.

Further information on DRS fund-raising opportunities can be found on Re-turn’s website at www.re-turn.ie/community.