Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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200. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the consideration and research that has taken place in his Department on the incidence of medical or homecare waste in domestic refuse; and if this should be considered for a special waste collection rate. [11800/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Environmental Protection Agency is statutorily responsible for the collection and publication of waste statistics in Ireland. The most recent waste characterisation study published by the Agency in 2023, based on 2022 data, found that 10% of the residual waste bin, and 6% of overall household waste was nappies. However, the study does not differentiate between infant nappies and incontinence wear.

The waste collection market is serviced by competing private companies, where prices charged are matters between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable legislation, including contract, consumer and competition legislation. As Minister, I have no power to set prices in a private competitive market.

My Department has engaged with relevant public bodies and representative organisations with respect to the waste disposal costs for incontinence wear.

The National Waste Collection Permit Office (NWCPO) has commissioned an ongoing study on incentivised charging structures in the waste collection market. This study will also consider mechanisms for supports in relation to households disposing of medical incontinence products based on international practice.