Concerns at loss of refuse waivers

Just three local authorities that have contracted out their entire rubbish collection services to private companies offer concessions to the poor, the elderly and the disabled.

They are Limerick City Council, Monaghan County Council and Bray Town Council.

The three councils were named yesterday by Tom O'Mahony, assistant secretary at the Department of the Environment, when speaking before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs.

Fianna Fáil Dublin South West TD Charlie O'Connor said a husband and wife in his constituency, both over 80 years of age, had been denied any reduction in their bin charges because they pay a small amount of tax on a pension.

Fianna Fáil Galway East TD Joe Callanan said Galway County Council had a successful waiver scheme until it privatised rubbish collection. "Now we have nothing."

However, Fianna Fáil senator Paschal Mooney said each local authority should be left to set its own rules as long as they were fair. "We have spent long enough getting devolution."

Labour TD Willie Penrose said some people were being denied any concessions on refuse costs even though they were living within 500 yards of neighbours who were being helped.