Erin McGreehan
Ceist:158. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he plans to expand the deposit return scheme. [72999/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 December 2025
Ceisteanna (158)
Freagraí scríofa
The Deposit Return Scheme, or DRS, was introduced in February 2024 to encourage more people to recycle plastic bottles and cans and to deliver on our ambitious EU targets for the recycling of those products.
Provisions relating to review of the operation and scope of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) are set down in the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations (S.I. No. 33 of 2024).
The Regulations require Re-turn, in its role as an approved body under the scheme, to "advise the Minister of any developments in the area of waste management which in the opinion of the approved body could improve the effectiveness of the scheme including the potential future benefits of such a scheme for other materials." To date, the company has not advised of such developments.
While demonstrating strong performance, the scheme is still in its establishment phase. Until the targets required of Ireland for the separate collection and recycling of plastic bottles under the Single Use Plastics Directive are met, those materials must remain the priority focus for the scheme.