Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 June 2023
107. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the proposals, if any, there are to have additional publicity programmes regarding the need to deal with the proliferation of littering problems throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28877/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution 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. In 2022 €750,000 was provided under this Scheme and a similar amount is expected to be made available in 2023.
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.
The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, which was enacted in mid 2022, advances several legislative provisions which will further support Local Authorities in their anti-litter efforts, including providing for the GDPR-compliant use of a range of technologies, such as CCTV for litter enforcement purposes and an increase in the level of the on-the-spot fine for littering.
