Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe, has stated his extreme disappointment with the news that the Minister for the Environment, Denis Naughten, will bring forward new proposals to introduce a pay by weight waste management system next year.

Crowe said that this will inevitably put an additional burden on hard pressed families.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“The controversial pay by weight system that was introduced in the dying days of the last Government is not going to be scrapped but will instead be reintroduced by the middle of next year.

“I am extremely disappointed that the Government are to continue with this system, as it allows refuse companies to lead the Government by the nose on this issue. We know that earlier in the year some companies played sharp practise with the new system and increased charges, with some customers being charged doubled the amount for a yearly contract.

“Minister Naughten has said he will delay the new system until the middle of next year, but this short deferment will not be much help or support for all those who are under severe financial pressure to keep their bins. By opting for the pay by weight system the Minister is leaving hard working families to the mercy of these companies.

“Many of us in Leinster House, and at Council level, argued that the privatisation of waste collection would not only lead to job losses and a poorer service, but would inevitably lead to an increase in service charges.  It gives me no satisfaction to confirm this prediction has now become a reality.

“Families know to their cost, that waste charges have increased dramatically, and many are facing into the likelihood that they will be forced to pay significantly more.

“Unfortunately, with the control resting with the waste and recycling companies the likelihood is that most people will soon have to begin paying by weight for all of their bins, including their green bins.”

ENDS