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Minister Gormley and Minister of State Kitt Announce Grants for Public Education and Awareness Initiatives on Litter and Graffiti

09/04/09

Mr. John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and Mr. Michael Kitt, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, today (09 April 2009) announced the allocation of €1,070,000 in grants to local authorities (details attached) for public education and awareness initiatives in relation to both litter and graffiti. This brings the total amount granted to local authorities for anti-litter awareness initiatives to over €8.74 million since the Litter Pollution Act was introduced in 1997. The 2009 allocation represents a decrease of 14% on the 2008 allocation, necessitated by the challenging economic circumstances, but both Ministers are confident that, despite the decrease, local authorities can continue their important 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. There is a particular focus on involving schools and young people and on voluntary initiatives carried out by community groups.  The Department makes a maximum grant for a project of up to 70% of the total cost, with the balance being met by way of local contribution. 

In announcing the grant allocations for 2009, Minister Gormley said, “Despite the economic slow down, it is important that we strive to maintain the sustained decrease we have seen in litter pollution levels across the country over the last ten years. While there has been a small decrease in the level of grants allocated this year, this in no way reflects any lack of commitment on the part of Government to the ongoing war against litter. The appearance of a community remains vital to both social and economic activity, and local authorities and community groups must strive to do more with less”.  Minister Kitt acknowledged the role being played by local authorities and urged them to continue their work with community groups to tackle the litter and graffiti problems in their area. “Local authorities have contributed greatly to the decrease in litter pollution levels around the country, but much remains to be done. I call on all local authorities to continue to raise 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 allocated today will assist these efforts.” 

County Council   2009 Allocations
 Carlow  25,000

 Cavan

  25,000
 Clare  30,000
 Cork  42,000
 Donegal  32,000
 Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown  42,000
 Fingal  42,000
 Galway  32,000
 Kerry  32,000
 Kildare  32,000
 Kilkenny  30,000
 Laois  25,000
 Leitrim  20,000
 Limerick  32,000
 Longford  20,000
 Louth  30,000
 Mayo  30,000
 Meath  32,000
 Monaghan  25,000
 Offaly  25,000
 Roscommon  25,000
 Sligo  25,000
 South County Dublin  42,000
 South Tipperary  26,000
 North Tipperary  25,000
 Waterford  25,000
 Westmeath  26,000
 Wexford  32,000
 Wicklow  30,000
 City Council  
 Cork  40,000
 Dublin  51,000
 Galway  40,000
 Limerick  40,000
 Waterford  40,000
 TOTAL:  €1,070,000

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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