Air Quality

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022

Tuesday, 26 July 2022

Questions (164)

Holly Cairns

Question:

164. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the amount spent on the development and promotion of the public awareness campaign on the ABC of Cleaner Air this winter; the media types and social media platforms used to promote the scheme, including any money paid for promoted materials on these platforms; the tools used to monitor the success of the campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41752/22]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The public awareness campaign ‘ABC for Cleaner Air’ was developed and delivered in 2021. The total cost of the campaign, which ran on national television, radio and social media platforms was €194,240.

The aim of the campaign was to educate people about the air pollution caused by the burning of solid fuels and the associated health impacts. Each year, some 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution from solid fuel burning. It is estimated that there are over 16,200 life years lost, while many people also experience a poor quality of life due to the associated short- and long-term health impacts of this form of pollution.

The effectiveness of the campaign is currently being reviewed to inform the development of further public awareness measures to be rolled out in the coming heating season.