Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 May 2024
218. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department will consider delaying adjudication of the Tidy Towns competition until after the removal of election posters, that is one week after the local and European elections, to be held on 7 June 2024. [23148/24]
View answerThe SuperValu TidyTowns competition is a unique volunteer-led programme that makes a hugely positive contribution in communities across Ireland.
Ahead of the competition launch each year, officials in my Department meet with SuperValu, the main sponsor of the competition, and with our highly skilled and competent panel of adjudicators. My Department's role is to facilitate the administration of the adjudication process only, but my officials are not actively involved in the formal adjudication of competition entries.
Adjudication of competition entries typically takes place during the months of June and July over an intensive 6 week period. Based on previous years experience, in the region of 900 towns and villages are likely to undergo assessment during this period.
In the event that the adjudication period coincides with an election, adjudicators are aware that election posters may be displayed in towns and villages entered in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, within the allowed timeframe specified under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 as amended. Where posters are up within the allowed timeframes my Department has advised the panel of adjudicators that it should not impact on any TidyTowns scoring.
I look forward to announcing the results of the 2024 competition later this year.
