Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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27. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government whether he will commit to reviewing the Government’s recycling contract (details supplied) that launched in 2024, as there is no accommodation for wheelchair users to access this public service; the reason disability access was not deemed essential as part of this contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53044/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Provisions relating to review of the operation and scope of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) are set down in the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations (S.I. No. 33 of 2024) and within the approval issued to Re-turn as scheme operator. Specifically, Regulation 7 provides for a review of Re-turn's Approval by the end of the second quarter of the third year after the grant of approval and by the end of the second quarter of each third year following. The approval was granted in July 2022 which means the first review was undertaken this year and is currently being considered. Regulation 14 sets down retailers' obligations under the scheme including requirements around access to return facilities.

Following the scheme's launch last year, Re-turn received feedback from some consumers living with a disability about the challenges they have experienced accessing the scheme. In response, Re-turn launched a consultation process to review the accessibility of the deposit return scheme for people with disabilities and mobility issues. The report of that consultation shares the findings from surveys, focus groups, in-store sessions, and one-to-one interviews, highlighting both the progress made and the barriers that remain. It can be found on Re-turn's website at the following link: re-turn.ie/wp-content/uploads/Accessibility-Consultation.pdf

Re-turn has committed to develop solutions that are co-designed with people with disabilities, and other stakeholders, and to explore practical and effective ways to improve the accessibility of the information provided about the DRS, access to the scheme and the usability of the reverse vending machines. Future projects will address other aspects of the consultation outcomes to further improve accessibility of the scheme. Officials of the Department are represented on the accessibility advisory group established by Re-turn and monitor closely the progress being made.