Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 11 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 3

Written Answers. - Litter Pollution.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

17 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the problems associated with graffiti and litter; the arrangements, if any, in place to address these issues; the proposals, if any, he has to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13866/98]

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

61 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the level of support his Department gives to residents and residents' associations to enhance and encourage them to keep their areas clean; the initiatives, if any, he will introduce in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13887/98]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. D. Wallace)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 61 together.

Enforcement of the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, which includes provisions to deal with graffiti, is a matter for the local authorities.

This week I announced a series of measures as part of an anti-litter programme to support strengthened local authority action on litter this year. These measures include: establishing an ongoing monitoring regime to assist and review local authority enforcement action and help in identifying and eliminating litter blackspots; co-funding selected local authority public education and awareness initiatives in blackspot areas; stepping up the promotion of anti-litter awareness among young people, in co-operation with the Department of Education and Science and through a new schools information programme being developed by ENFO; providing financial support for An Taisce project — National Spring Clean 1999 — a multi-sectoral initiative to raise public awareness and participation in anti-litter initiatives at local level, which will include a central role for local authorities and meeting all local authority managers to reinforce the need for strong action to tackle the litter pollution problem.

As organisers of the Tidy Towns Competition, my Department has also encouraged towns and villages to participate, and to offer advice on how communities can improve their local environment. In addition, the Department has sought support for these centres by contacting the regional tourism authorities, local authorities, LEADER groups, partnership companies and other local bodies and has received many indications of willingness to support the tidy towns effort.

With a clear recognition of the litter problem, the necessary legislation in place and additional resources becoming available to local authorities next year with the establishment of the local government fund, the onus is now on local authorities to tackle litter pollution in a more focused and effective way, and support the measures my Department is taking through the Tidy Towns Competition to improve local environments.