Minister for the Environment John Gormley has set aside €1,245,000 for local authorities to tackle litter and graffiti problems.
In a statement, Mr Gormley said this was an increase of more than 33 per cent on the allocation last year.
Under the Litter Pollution Acts, local authorities have, in addition to tackling litter, a responsibility to prevent and remove graffiti.
The money is to be used in projects including local media campaigns, clean-ups, primary/secondary school competitions, exhibitions and the production of videos, posters and leaflets. The maximum grant for a project may be up to 70 per cent of the cost and the balance must be met by local contributions.
“Local authorities have contributed greatly to the modest but sustained decrease in litter pollution levels around the country, but much remains to be done”, Mr Gormley said.
“The appearance of a community is crucial to both social and economic activity, and first impressions count. Local authorities and community groups must continue to co-operate to ensure that an area is well presented.”
The minister called on local authorities to raise public awareness of the environmental damage caused by litter and graffiti.
Schedule of Grant Allocations 2008:
County Councils €
Carlow 32,000
Cavan 32,000
Clare 34,000
Cork 50,000
Donegal 37,000
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown 50,000
Fingal 50,000
Galway 37,000
Kerry 37,000
Kildare 32,000
Kilkenny 37,000
Laois 31,000
Leitrim 24,000
Limerick 37,000
Longford 26,000
Louth 34,000
Mayo 35,000
Meath 35,000
Monaghan 28,000
Offaly 32,000
Roscommon 29,000
Sligo 29,000
South Co Dublin 50,000
South Tipperary 33,000
North Tipperary 32,000
Waterford 29,000
Westmeath 33,000
Wexford 37,000
Wicklow 36,000
City Councils €:
Cork 48,000
Dublin 35,000
Galway 48,000
Limerick 48,000
Waterford 48,000
Total €1,245,000