Vol. 486 No. 3
95 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to assess the implementation of the Litter Pollution Act, 1997; the number of litter wardens employed by local authorities since the Act came into force; the mechanism, if any, he has instituted to monitor any improvement or disimprovement in the incidence of littering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2455/98]
209 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of local authorities that employ litter wardens; and if he will name these authorities. [2695/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 209 together.
The Litter Pollution Act, 1997, came into effect on 1 July 1997 and provides local authorities with an expanded range of powers to take more effective, targeted action to tackle the widespread problem of litter pollution. It is now a matter for local authorities to apply the new laws in their functional areas.
The extent of enforcement action and the number of litter wardens employed will be quantified nationally when my Department, in accordance with established practice, receives statistical information from the local authorities on their 1997 anti-litter operations. This will enable me to monitor local authority progress in implementing the provisions of the 1997 Act. I am, in addition, considering appropriate measures to support effective local authority action, and local awareness, on litter this year.
