526 Mr. Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authorities that have a privatised refuse collection service; and the number of these that have a locally administered refuse waiver scheme. [36706/06]

According to information supplied to my Department by local authorities in July this year, private operators provide the waste collection service in 17 local authority areas, a combination of private operators and local authorities provide the service in 15 local authority areas and local authorities provide the service in 2 areas. A waiver scheme is in place in 3 of the 17 privately operated areas, in each of the 15 areas where a combined service operates and in both areas where the local authority provides the service.