Response of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to this Report

As provided for in Section 6(2)(d) of the Ombudsman Act 1980, a draft copy of this report was sent to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for its comments. The full text of the Department's response is at Appendix 12 to this report. The following is a brief extract:

"The Department welcomes this report by the Ombudsman as a significant contribution to an issue which has been the subject of repeated comment by stakeholders and will be giving  the report, and in particular the recommendations contained within it, our fullest consideration in the context of the ongoing review of the regulation of the waste management sector.

The report highlights issues in the operation of waiver schemes operated by local authorities and the absence of such schemes in areas serviced by the private sector.  These are matters which have previously been raised in the social partnership context by  the community and voluntary sector who have argued that low-income households in areas serviced by private waste collectors are treated inequitably in comparison to those receiving waivers from local authorities; that they are also treated inequitably in comparison to higher income households in the same areas, as the latter can avail of tax relief on their waste charges; and that real hardship arises in certain cases as a result."