COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, June 14, 2010

QUESTION NO. 21

QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

To ask the Manager if he will confirm that the eligibility criteria for waivers for household bin collection charges remain the same following the introduction of the new bin chip system and if he can provide an updated report on the resolution of problems which those with eligibility for free bin tags experienced during the changeover to the new system? 

REPLY:

The criteria for granting an environmental waste charge waiver did not change as part of the introduction of the advance credit system for waste charges collection.  Eligible customers are provided with 6 bin lifts per quarter.  A limited number of issues arose with waiver customers following the switch to exclusive operation of the new system, primarily relating to customers neglecting to provide change of address details but all, bar the most recently submitted queries, have been resolved.

The contribution to waste charges provided by way of a number of lifts per quarter to eligible customers will be reviewed in tandem with the introduction of the brown bin service and the continued need to ensure that waste prevention and minimisation is foremost in the mind of waste customers.  From 1st August, customers will be provided with 3 black bin lifts and 3 brown bin lifts per quarter.
 
The waiver scheme is currently based on the following assessment criteria:
  1. Where the sole income of the household is from the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs Allowance or pension or
  2. Where the total income of the household is exempt from income tax under the Finance Acts or
  3. Where in the opinion of the County Manager the payment of the charge would result in personal hardship.

If there are outstanding arrears from period of fixed waste charges (2002-2004) the waiver application will not be processed unless the household was entitled to a waiver for that 2002/2003 period. Householders may enter into an agreement to clear arrears by instalments.

A full review of the environmental waste charges waiver scheme will commence shortly.