Amid fears that hikes in bin charges could result in a rise in illegal dumping and fly-tipping, many local authorities have stressed that the problem has eased in recent years.

Bin operators face a threat of their charges being capped or a new charging regime being postponed as the Government moves to calm anxieties over pay-by-weight refuse collections.

Homeowners look set to escape from threatened bin charge hikes as a suspension of the new bin charge regime appears imminent, the Irish Examiner can reveal.

Gerry O’Brien, who is father to a 30-year-old man with severe cerebral palsy, has raised concerns over the cost of disposing of his son’s 30 nappies a week when the pay-by-weight regulations come in on July 1.