Vol. 481 No. 4
6 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Environment and Local Government the number of prosecutions which have been initiated under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997; the outcome of each such prosecution; the relevant local authorities which have initiated prosecutions; and if he has satisfied himself that local authorities are adequately fulfilling their obligations under the Act. [16097/97]
In accordance with established practice, statistical information on the numbers of prosecutions and convictions under litter legislation is sought from the local authorities at the beginning of each year in respect of the previous year. This will be done early next year in respect of the current year.
The provisions of the new Act came into operation on 1 July. Local authorities are now availing of their strengthened powers under the Act for the purposes of preventing and controlling litter, and my Department has issued implementation guidelines to assist in more effective enforcement against offenders.
I am confident local authorities will apply themselves more vigorously to tackling litter pollution problems under the umbrella of the new legislation. To assist them in developing new litter initiatives, including anti-litter awareness activities in their areas, I have decided to make some limited grant funding available for projects this year. I have already invited local authorities to apply for assistance and am currently considering the applications received. I will make grant allocations shortly.
How many local authorities have litter wardens, bearing in mind that since the 1982 Act there is an obligation to have wardens? How many local authorities have a litter management plan under the provisions of section 10 of the current Act?
In 1996 there were 21 full-time and 66 part-time litter wardens employed by 56 local authorities. Thirty-two local authorities did not employ any litter wardens.
What action, if any, does the Minister contemplate taking against local authorities which do not have litter wardens, bearing in mind that they are obliged to have them under the 1982 Act? Will he respond to the second part of my first question, which was, how many local authorities have drawn up litter plans under the provisions of this year's Act?
The local authorities have until the end of the year to draw up an implementation plan. Many local authorities did not act quickly enough on litter but they have until the end of the year to act. I do not know how many local authorities are involved but the plan must be in place by the end of the year.
The Minister of State overlooked the first part of my question; I am sorry if he is confused by a double barrelled question. What action, if any, is he proposing to deal with the situation in the 32 local authorities which have not had litter wardens since 1982?
We must be realistic here. The new legislation came into effect on 1 July, which was three months ago. The approach to litter and the environment generally has been very lax until now. This legislation compels local authorities to put in place an implementation plan by the end of the year. I am confident that, with the grants which will be made available to local authorities and the awareness campaign which will be conducted, we will see a greater involvement by local authorities, who will be compelled to comply with the Act by the end of the year.
The Minister of State is obviously not going to take action against the 32 local authorities who still do not have a litter warden, although they are obliged to have one under the Litter Act, 1982. That does not augur very well for how the Minister of State will implement the provisions of the 1997 Act. Will the Minister of State indicate what kinds of activity he will assist by way of grants? He said he would offer grant funding to local authorities for certain kinds of activities under the Litter Act, 1997. How much funding will be provided?
There is a sum of £400,000 available for litter initiatives this year. Last year, most of the money was spent on advertising public awareness of litter. I will spend the bulk of the money available to me to help local authorities to implement well focused local initiatives. Local authorities must take the lead which is why I will make that money available to them. Large resources were spent last year on a national campaign by the previous Minister and, while that had a certain effect, we must support initiatives by local authorities through local radio advertising and so on. I am confident that approach will be successful. The moneys available this year will be given to local authorities which have their plans in place.
If I were to tell the Minister of State that on the road between Milltown and Newbridge in County Kildare there is a Fianna Fáil poster still on a lamppost, would he think it a useful local initiative to get his local party organisation to take it down?
There is also a Fine Gael one.
The Minister of State is not responsible for that.
It is a curiosity because it is one of a minority of Fianna Fáil posters from the last general election in Kildare South which has three candidates rather than just two.
I would have thought the Deputy was so civic minded that he would have removed it himself.
