118. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether alternative funding mechanisms will be required to maintain the scheme's operation if return rates of bottles and cans for the Re-Turn scheme decline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53859/26]

Regulation 4(3) of the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2024 sets out how the operator of the Deposit Return Scheme shall meet the costs of operating the scheme. It states that the costs of operating the scheme shall be recouped from:

1. registration fees set by an approved body,

2. producer fees set by an approved body on the basis of quantity and material type placed on the market,

3. unredeemed deposits as provided for in these Regulations,

4. revenue derived from the sale of returned in-scope bottles and containers,

5. any other income source created by an approved body.

Other than unredeemed deposits, these income sources are not dependent on the return rates for bottles and cans.

If return rates for bottles and cans were to decline, unredeemed deposit levels would increase.  Re-turn, the operating company, must use this funding to promote the rate of returns by consumers and meet its collection and recycling targets.