Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 October 2025
147. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has carried out or plans to carry out a value-for-money assessment of the Deposit Return Scheme in its current corporate form, taking into account costs to consumers and the level of retained income by the operating company. [56376/25]
View answer148. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of meetings or formal communications between officials of his Department and representatives of Re-Turn Ireland CLG since its establishment; and whether any concerns were raised regarding its financial management or accounting practices. [56378/25]
View answer163. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline the level of financial and operational oversight exercised by his Department over a company (details supplied), including audit arrangements, reporting obligations, and the frequency of departmental reviews or meetings with company representatives. [56363/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 147, 148 and 163 together.
The governance and oversight framework for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is provided for within the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2024, the Ministerial Approval issued to Re-turn under those regulations and the Code of Corporate Governance for Compliance Schemes.
Re-turn is responsible for all operational and funding matters relating to DRS and while I have no function in the day-to-day business operations, officials from the Department monitor performance of the scheme closely and meet with Re-turn monthly to review progress on the scheme and to consider statistical updates. In addition, quarterly meetings are held to discuss strategic priorities and governance matters.
Regulation 7 of the DRS Regulations provides for a review of Re-turn's approval three years after the grant of approval and every third year thereafter. Regulation 8 provides for a review in other specified circumstances such as, for example, revised recycling targets.
Re-turn's Approval was granted in July 2022 which means the first approval review was initiated this year and is currently being considered. The next review scheduled under Regulation 7 is due in 2028 and every third year over the 10-year lifetime of the approval.
On 26 March 2025, I met with Re-turn's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. At this meeting, the company gave me an overview of Re-turn’s first 12 months in operation. The company described the nature and extent of its operations across the country and described the emerging potential for a first PET recycling plant in Ireland. No concerns were raised regarding Re-turn's financial management or accounting practices.
I understand that Minister O'Brien also met with the CEO of Re-turn on 23 May, when a general discussion took place regarding the Scheme's progress to date and future development plans.
