Waste charges and low-income households
Deputy Brady criticised the new waste charging regime as giving too much discretion to private operators and not enough protection for consumers, especially low-income families and people with medical conditions. The Tánaiste said most households would not be affected immediately, alternative charging options would be available, and the phase-out would be gradual, but Brady insisted poorer families were being left at the mercy of companies.
The proposals from the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, regarding the creation of a new charging regime for waste collection means that commercial operators will themselves choose which option to take. This gives far too much leeway to private companies and far too little to the consumer. The proposed annual support of €75 to assist those with lifelong medical conditions that cause incontinence is totally insufficient. Regardless of which option is taken by the companies - per-lift or per-kilogram charges, by-weight bands or by-weight allowance charges - people with lifelong or long-term medical conditions that cause incontinence will have more waste and will, therefore, have increased charges imposed on them. This is totally unacceptable and unfair.
Comment on this
There are, however, no provisions in place for low-income families or lone parents who will not be able to afford any of these additional charges.
Comment on this
How will the people who cannot afford these charges be assisted?
Comment on this
More than half of households will be unaffected by the phasing out of flat fees. For those on flat fees, waste collectors will have an alternative usage option in place before the phase-out.
Comment on this
This measure is targeted at helping everybody in the State to make a contribution to ensuring that we protect our environment. These are very important changes and families-----
Comment on this
It is good to do that, but I am talking about low-income families.
Comment on this
-----or households can contact their existing service providers today to find out what their charges are and discover if they will be affected by the new arrangements. The new system will commence in the autumn after the Department has implemented the regulatory changes. The phase-out will be over 12 months. In the meantime, families will be able to see the existing charging options and what news ones are to be offered over the summer. A family will only have to make a decision when their existing flat-rate contract expires between autumn 2017 and autumn 2018. There is plenty of time for people to get in contact, examine the options and go for the most efficient and effective one for themselves. By their own behaviour they can impact the charges that will be before them.
Comment on this
They are at the mercy of private companies.