'Any carer would welcome a waste waiver with open arms'

Brenda O’Connell Barry at home with her son Fionn in Ballyhea, Co Cork. Picture: Brian Arthur

As a resident of Ballyhea in North Cork, Brenda O'Connell Barry is used to the word 'no'. For years, the 'Ballyhea says no' marches against government repayments to bondholders occupied locals, and as a full-time carer to her son Fionn, Brenda hears the word all too often.

Last week, it was 'no' to a request for additional home nursing hours. Now, it seems it is 'no' to the idea of a waste waiver, something that would have put a small but welcome dent in the family's monthly outgoings.