I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 202 together.
A Circular issued to local authorities on 5th May 2021 informing them of the additional €5 million to be provided in support of their anti-litter efforts in the context of the easing of Covid 19 restrictions and the consequent need to provide additional anti-litter facilities in support of a predominantly outdoor summer season. The Circular set out the broad range of activities that could be supported under the programme and asked the local authorities to appoint a litter prevention lead in each local authority by 14th May 2021 to act as a contact point with the Department to assist with the development of specific funding proposals.
The Department then circulated a questionnaire to the nominated litter leads for return by 28th May 2021 in order to better understand the precise infrastructure and servicing requirements of the individual LAs. These questionnaires have now all been received and are being collated by the Department. A further Circular relating to the exact nature of the scheme and detailing individual local authority allocations, which have yet to be finalised, will be issued in the coming weeks.
In advance of the June Bank Holiday weekend, local authorities were informed by email that the additional servicing of existing bins and the funding of a visible staff presence at main litter pressure points would also be supported under the scheme as an interim measure.