111. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of unclaimed refunds in regard to the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34851/24]

112. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the State benefits from any unclaimed refunds form the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34852/24]

113. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the company operating the deposit return scheme earns any additional revenue from unclaimed refunds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34853/24]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 to 113, inclusive, together.

DRSI CLG, trading as Re-turn, was established by beverage producers and retailers to fulfil their obligations under the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2021. The company is structured as a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee. Re-turn obtained Ministerial approval in July 2022 to operate Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

DRS has been introduced to encourage more people to recycle plastic bottles and cans and to deliver on our ambitious EU targets for the recycling of those products. While I fully expect those targets will be achieved, it is unlikely that every container for which a deposit has been paid will be returned by the purchaser. Deposits which are not refunded are referred to as unredeemed deposits. As set out in the DRS Regulations, unredeemed deposits will be retained by Re-turn. VAT will be payable on unredeemed deposits at the standard rate.

The scheme operator always encourages consumers to redeem their deposits, and to date just over €80m has been refunded. Re-turn retains an open-ended liability to refund deposits to consumers, regardless of when the product was purchased. Any unclaimed deposits will be reinvested in the scheme to promote better recycling practices in communities and reduce litter.

Re-turn will report to me before the end of October on the performance of the scheme and this will include information on the level of unredeemed deposits being held.