123 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for the Environment the policy or guidelines, if any, he has issued to local authorities in respect of the issuing of waivers for persons who are suffering from financial hardship or personal circumstances and are unable to pay a full service charge, such as a refuse charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5878/97]

Comprehensive guidelines on the operation of service charges waiver schemes issued to all local authorities in 1983 and 1985, recommending the adoption of a sympathetic approach in the assessment of applicants and the provision of sufficient publicity on the operation of schemes. A further circular issued to the authorities in April 1995 emphasising the necessity to fully publicise waiver schemes and to take care, as far as reasonably possible, to ensure that demands do not issue where people are experiencing hardship.