Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that pay-by-weight bin charges will be optional for households from January 1st.

It has been confirmed that bin charges will be frozen for at least 12 months.

But the Government will give households the option of moving to a pay-by-weight system from January onwards, if they can make savings on their charges.

By that stage all operators will offer dual-billing, showing households their current charge and what it would be under pay-by-weight. 

Mr Kenny says customers will be able to see how to reduce their charges.

The Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) has approved a proposal to postpone planned hikes in fees that were due to come into effect next month.

The move means that households disposing the same quantities of waste will not face any additional costs during the first year of the new pay-by-weight system.

Under the agreement, existing charges will be frozen from June 20th, 2016 to July 1st, 2017.