by Alan Jacques
LIMERICK City and County Council will extend the current bin waiver scheme until the end of the year.
Funding for the waiver scheme was cut by 10 per cent in the council’s January budget with council officials proposing a much reduced scheme in March. Following protests from the Anti Austerity Alliance, the local authority has agreed that extra funding will be made available to keep the bin waiver scheme as is this year.
Environment and Water Department Director of Services Kieran Lehane, said initial legal advice had identified significant issues that would require further consideration and, in the interim, both schemes will continue to operate as heretofore until the end of this year.
Welcoming the move, AAA councillor for City North, Cian Prendiville said he was glad that the officials had agreed to make up the shortfall, following a strong response from the communities including protests at council meetings.
“This is proof that people power and political pressure can work,” he said.
He went on to warn that a serious threat still hangs over the waiver for next year, and said another campaign may well be needed later this year.
“The bin waiver will come up again later in the year, as they try to come up with an alternative. We will be fighting to ensure any new waiver scheme does not result in new charges or cuts to level of service. However, the only thing that will stop cuts to the waiver will be communities getting organised to defend it,” he said.
