While having no operational role in enforcement of the Litter Pollution Acts, my Department provides the policy framework and funding to support the activities of a network of local authority environmental enforcement officers. Each local authority sets out an annual programme of action, detailing the enforcement activities towards which this funding will be utilised. Typically, such programmes also include actions to tackle illegal dumping.
In 2012, a once-off grant allocation was provided to assist local authorities improve enforcement in the area of fly tipping and small-scale illegal dumping. It was intended that these grants should be utilised to assist in the deployment of staff and the purchase of appropriate equipment to tackle the problem of fly tipping and small-scale illegal dumping in known problem areas with in their functional areas. A total sum of €750,000 was allocated to the 34 local authorities under the scheme. Measures eligible for funding included the purchase of mobile CCTV equipment and associated signage/dummy boxes, training and deployment for local authority staff and the employment of external CCTV contractors. The specific number and location of CCTV systems installed is not available in my Department.
Data available under the National Litter Pollution Monitoring System show that the number of areas surveyed in 2012 deemed to be completely unpolluted stands at 10.4%, the highest level achieved since monitoring began. Conversely, the number of areas surveyed deemed to be grossly polluted at 0.3% is at the lowest ever level. This demonstrates clearly that our efforts in tackling litter are paying dividends.
Also during 2012, my Department entered into a negotiated agreement with the National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) to mount a national litter campaign in the print media, aimed specifically at tackling the issues of littering and illegal dumping. The NNI, made available, free of charge, €500,000 worth of advertising space to raise awareness of the damaging effects that fly tipping and small-scale illegal dumping have on our environment and our economy, particularly on the tourism and agriculture sectors. Advertisements appeared in national, regional and local newspapers and magazines over the course of the peak summer period, highlighting the impact of illegal dumping and providing information for people to report illegal dumping activity to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA)’s lo-call hotline number 1850 365 121.
My Department does not collect information in relation to the volume of calls received by the EPA on their illegal dumping hotline.
