Subsidised rubbish collection to cost €12m

IT will cost the Government an estimated €12 million to ensure pensioners and low-income households retain subsidised rubbish collection services.

Councils have been told that waivers they are paying to private rubbish collection companies are illegal, as they are only allowed to waive a fee for a service they provide themselves.

Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee Michael Noonan warned that the collapse of the waiver scheme could lead to serious and expensive environmental problems caused by uncollected rubbish. Mr Noonan said the Government will have to take legislative action to ensure waivers are retained and provide the necessary funding, which he estimated would be €12m a year.