Sir, - After all the razzmatazz with which recycling was introduced last year, after all the money spent on the fancy glossy "waste management" brochure we got in our letterboxes, after all the hype and propaganda from the Council clapping itself on the back . . . we now have no refuse collection in Co Wicklow. The Council has finally admitted defeat. But instead of the caring attitude it tried to make us believe it had, it has simply left Wicklow householders out in the cold. What are we supposed to do now? The Council graciously informed us last week that as of 01 January 2000, it will not be collecting refuse anymore (do we get a refund of service charges previously paid?). Full stop. Each man for himself.
The Council made a mess out of refuse collection and recycling in Co Wicklow, charged us extra for this "service" last year, and has now decided to pull out suddenly because it cannot extricate itself from its failed policies, leaving Wicklow householders to clean up the mess.
Mr McCreevy graciously gave people on social welfare an extra £4 in his budget two weeks ago, a grand total of £208 a year. A single person will most likely have to pay £156 annually for private refuse collection. This will leave that person with £52 of their social welfare increase. When you then take into consideration the money that person will lose through the differential yearly rent increase (which is almost always more than £1 per week), the person on welfare has lost all the increase they received from the "generous" Minister for Finance. Factor in the rise in living expenses, and hey presto - we have a loss! The poor are getting poorer, once again.
Central government funds are released to fund local authority road works, sewerage schemes etc. Wicklow Sinn Fein recommends the same course of action for the funding of all local authority services where there is a shortfall, as in this case. We believe all service charges should be paid from central government funds. Surely Wicklow Co Council cannot be allowed to bestow this hardship of Wicklow householders? - Is mise,
Maj-Britt Christensen, PRO Wicklow Sinn Fein, Glenealy, Co Wicklow.