Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
150. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any consideration has been given to the introduction of a DNA strategy to address the issue of dog fouling across the country; if he will fund such a strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3802/24]
View answerUnder the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution, including dog fouling, lies with local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement, and clean-up actions in relation to litter taking account of local circumstances and priorities.
My Department provides financial support to local authority efforts to tackle litter through the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme. €750,000 was provided under this Scheme in 2023 with a similar amount expected to be made available in 2024.
Funding is also provided annually in support of a number of important anti-litter initiatives such as the National Spring Clean, Picker Pals, the PURE Project and Irish Business against Litter.
