Bin charges in Dublin could rise by 30%

Householders in Dublin face a 30 per cent increase in refuse collection charges under a proposal to be considered by city councillors next week.

The City Manager, Mr John Fitzgerald, has proposed that "wheelie-bin" charge for 130,000 city householders be increased from €120 to €156 next year.

A reduced charge would apply for those who use a smaller bin, and waivers would continue to operate for low-income households.

Dublin's waste charges are currently lower than in any other local authority, Mr Fitzgerald says in a report circulated to councillors at the weekend.

It is also "out of line" with the charges levied in neighbouring authorities, such as that in South Dublin (€190) and Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown (€200).

"Councillors consistently and correctly complain that we should have more local discretionary powers and that we need additional financial resources. If we fail to use existing powers to maximise resources that are available we weaken the credibility of our position," Mr Fitzgerald says.

Currently, 76 per cent of households have either paid the charge or qualify for a waiver. A long-running campaign by opponents of the charge is currently before the courts.

Councillors will be briefed on the city's budgetary situation tomorrow, with a full estimates meeting to be held next week.

Mr Fitzgerald also warns that services in the capital will have to be cut and improvements postponed to pay for salary increases due under the benchmarking process.

He says nearly all the council's staff have been recommended for pay increases in the report of the benchmarking body. The interim payment of 25 per cent of the award would cost Dublin City Council about €14 million.

"This sum cannot be accommodated in full next year without impacting on service levels and postponing or cancelling planned improvements," Mr Fitzgerald says, and he expresses concern about the frequency of extreme weather causing flooding, which is putting "much extra pressure" on services.

Although capital funding for remedial work is met by the central Exchequer, "we are faced with unprecedented demands on revenue spending because we are in the front line and must respond to emergency conditions".

Reviewing the financial situation of the council, Mr Fitzgerald notes that total spending has increased from €454 million in 1997 to €1,331 million last year.

Major infrastructural projects such as the Port Tunnel and the rebuilding of Ballymun are well under way.

With the economic downturn, however, the 2003 budget for Dublin will be the most difficult for many years, he warns. The challenge will be to maintain services and control staff numbers.