Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
192. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount granted and-or drawn down in the context of the additional €5 million fund established to tackle littering, by each local authority, in tabular form; the heading under which each application was made (details supplied). [30913/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra202. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 51 of 12 May 2021, the amount allocated to each local authority from the €5 million additional funding for litter prevention and cleaning announced on 5 May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31324/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 202 together.
A Circular issued to local authorities on 5th May 2021 informing them of the additional €5 million to be provided in support of their anti-litter efforts in the context of the easing of Covid 19 restrictions and the consequent need to provide additional anti-litter facilities in support of a predominantly outdoor summer season. The Circular set out the broad range of activities that could be supported under the programme and asked the local authorities to appoint a litter prevention lead in each local authority by 14th May 2021 to act as a contact point with the Department to assist with the development of specific funding proposals.
The Department then circulated a questionnaire to the nominated litter leads for return by 28th May 2021 in order to better understand the precise infrastructure and servicing requirements of the individual LAs. These questionnaires have now all been received and are being collated by the Department. A further Circular relating to the exact nature of the scheme and detailing individual local authority allocations, which have yet to be finalised, will be issued in the coming weeks.
In advance of the June Bank Holiday weekend, local authorities were informed by email that the additional servicing of existing bins and the funding of a visible staff presence at main litter pressure points would also be supported under the scheme as an interim measure.
