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Minister Gormley Announces Grants for Public Education and Awareness Initiatives on Litter and Graffiti

07/07/08

Mr. John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, today (7 July 2008) announced the allocation of €1,245,000 in grants to local authorities (details attached) for public education and awareness initiatives in relation to both litter and graffiti. This represents an increase of over 33% on the 2007 allocation, and brings the total amount granted to local authorities for anti-litter awareness initiatives to over €7.5 million since the Litter Pollution Act was introduced in 1997.

Under the Litter Pollution Acts, local authorities have, in addition to litter functions, a responsibility to prevent and take remedial action in relation to graffiti. The criteria for selection of suitable projects under this scheme have been expanded in 2008 to include anti-graffiti awareness initiatives, in order to support local authorities in their work in this area.

The grants to city and county councils cover a broad range of measures to raise public awareness and promote anti-litter and anti-graffiti activity at local level.  Typically, eligible projects include local media campaigns, clean-ups, primary/secondary school competitions, exhibitions and the production of videos, posters and leaflets.

Local authorities select from projects put forward to them, and decide on individual allocations. There is a particular focus on involving schools, young people and voluntary initiatives by community groups.  The maximum grant for a project may be up to 70% of the cost and the balance must be met by local contributions. 

In announcing the grant allocations for 2008, Minister Gormley acknowledged the role being played by local authorities in tackling Ireland’s litter problem.   “Local authorities have contributed greatly to the modest but sustained decrease in litter pollution levels around the country, but much remains to be done”. He urged local authorities to work with community groups to tackle the litter and graffiti problems in their area: “The appearance of a community is crucial to both social and economic activity, and first impressions count. Local authorities and community groups must continue to co-operate to ensure that an area is well presented.  I call on all local authorities to raise public awareness of the environmental damage caused by litter and graffiti and to develop a partnership approach with local communities to help eradicate it.  The grants I am allocating will assist these efforts.” 

Schedule of Grant Allocations 2008

County Councils  €

Carlow 32,000
Cavan 32,000
Clare 34,000
Cork 50,000
Donegal 37,000
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown 50,000
Fingal 50,000
Galway 37,000
Kerry 37,000
Kildare 32,000
Kilkenny 37,000
Laois 31,000
Leitrim 24,000
Limerick 37,000
Longford 26,000
Louth 34,000
Mayo 35,000
Meath 35,000
Monaghan 28,000
Offaly 32,000
Roscommon 29,000
Sligo 29,000
South Co Dublin 50,000
South Tipperary 33,000
North Tipperary 32,000
Waterford 29,000
Westmeath 33,000
Wexford 37,000
Wicklow 36,000

City Councils  €
Cork 48,000
Dublin 35,000
Galway 48,000
Limerick 48,000
Waterford 48,000

Total €1,245,000

Media queries:
Press and Information Office
Tel: (01) 888 2638  (direct)
(01) 888 2000
E-Mail: press-office@environ.ie
Web site: www.environ.ie

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