The Cabinet has agreed to delay pay-by-weight bin charges.

The new pricing system had been due to be introduced next month to allow households monitor the charges before full implementation next summer.

However, the Environment Minister says more time is needed for discussions with the waste industry to ensure bills do not go up significantly.

Denis Naughten says the proposed system would hit some households unfairly.

He said: “One of those concerns was that people who were low generators of waste, usually older people, would end up paying significantly higher bills for their waste even though they generate small volumes.

“Or also, families who are very efficient at recycling and reducing, would be penalised.

“So what we are trying to do now is put a regime in place that acknowledges that, and actively encourages people to go down that particular road.”