Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
281. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has engaged with the operators of the deposit return scheme regarding accessibility concerns raised by wheelchair users in accessing reverse vending machines independently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40215/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra316. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether accessibility standards or guidelines were applied in the rollout of reverse vending machines under the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40211/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra317. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has received representations or complaints regarding the accessibility of reverse vending machines for wheelchair users and persons with limited mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40212/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra318. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has engaged with a company (details supplied) or participating retailers regarding concerns that some reverse vending machines may not be accessible to wheelchair users due to the height and positioning of bottle and can chutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40213/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra319. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether accessibility and universal design requirements form part of the operational or contractual arrangements governing reverse vending machines under the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40214/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 281, 316, 317, 318 and 319 together.
Re-turn is a producer-led and owned, not-for-profit company established by beverage producers to meet their obligations under the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations. Specifically, Regulation 14 sets down retailers' obligations under the scheme including requirements around access to return facilities.
Re-turn, which is responsible for all operational matters relating to the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), has advised that there are currently over 2,800 registered Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) nationwide, operating across 2,081 premises.
The company has also advised how the original specification to approve RVM suppliers in Ireland included accessibility requirements broadly reflecting the DRS Regulations, stating: “Both RVMs and RPOs (Return Point Operators) must be in compliance with any relevant standards in place in the Republic of Ireland, both for the machine itself and the operations surrounding the RVM. This includes the requirement for accessibility of RVMs. RVM Suppliers and RPOs must ensure the machines are accessible”.
Retailers were free to purchase RVMs from any of the approved RVM suppliers.
Following the scheme's launch in February 2024, Re-turn received feedback from some consumers living with a disability about the challenges they have experienced accessing the scheme. In response, Re-turn launched a consultation process to review the accessibility of the scheme for people with disabilities and mobility issues. The 2025 report from that consultation shares the findings from surveys, focus groups, in-store sessions, and one-to-one interviews, highlighting both the progress made and the challenges that remain. It can be found on Re-turn's website here: https://re-turn.ie/re-turn-accessibility-consultation/.
Following the consultation, Re-turn is developing practical solutions that are co-designed with people with disabilities, alongside retailers, RVM suppliers and other stakeholders. This work is focused on how accessibility can be improved through clearer and more accessible DRS information, better usability of RVMs, and updated retailer accessibility guidelines. Officials of the Department participate in Re-turn’s Accessibility Advisory Group and continue to monitor progress.
The first accessibility measure to be deployed will be the publication of the Retailer Accessibility Guidelines, which are expected to issue in the coming weeks. These guidelines are intended to support retailers in identifying practical steps that can be taken to make returning containers more accessible for all users. Retailers will be encouraged, to first undertake self-assessments within their stores to identify areas where accessibility improvements may be appropriate.
Since the launch of the DRS scheme in February 2024, the Department has received seventeen complaints regarding the accessibility of the RVMs from or on behalf of people with disabilities. Two complaints have been received from wheelchair users, two from visually impaired users and thirteen from those living with other disabilities.
