A call has been made by Fine Gael T.D. Michael D’Arcy for a national waiver scheme for refuse charges. “Local authorities in some regions are funded well enough to allow them to provide a waiver scheme for refuse charges to old age pensioners, those in reduced circumstances or living on State benefits,” he said. “A number of people on limited budgets have contacted me in recent weeks to say that, without such a scheme here in Co. Wexford, they are finding refuse costs extremely expensive.”

“A national waiver scheme would be preferable and much fairer,” Deputy D’Arcy said, adding that he has written to the Environment Minister, John Gormley T.D. urging him to look seriously at introducing such a scheme.