Over €1 million allocated to fight litter, graffiti

Minister for the Environment John Gormley has set aside €1,245,000 for local authorities to tackle litter and graffiti problems…

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.

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“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