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Naughten tackles litter and graffiti with increased funding

The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten has today (June 1st) announced an allocation of €884,000 to tackle graffiti and litter across the country. This represents an increase of €194,000 on last year’s allocation under the 2017 Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme (ALAGS).

The Scheme provides funding to local authorities to conduct public awareness and education campaigns at a community level targeting litter, dog fouling and graffiti. Each local authority is responsible for selecting the suitable awareness projects that receive funding. Today’s allocation of €884,000 brings the total grants provided under this Scheme over the last 10 years to almost €15 million.

Announcing the allocation Minister Naughten said: “Year on year Ireland has steadily improved with respect to litter but complacency is not an option as a small increase was recorded last year in levels nationwide on the previous year. Within the resources I have I am proud to support community groups and local authorities with funding that will have tangible impact in our communities. Recently, I provided increased funding for the 2017 National Spring Clean campaign run by An Taisce. I have also doubled the funding available to tackle the scourge of illegal dumping and today I am pleased to announce a substantial increase in funding to tackle graffiti and littering of all types, including gum, cigarette butts and dog fouling, which is a particular bugbear of mine. Dog fouling is perhaps the most disgusting and intrusive type of litter and a constant source of annoyance for us all on our streets, in our parks and on our beaches. I would really welcome any initiatives that will increase awareness of this nuisance litter and the many public health risks associated with dog owners not picking up their dog’s waste, particularly for children.”

Naughten added: “Littering is environmental sabotage but money cannot solve our litter problems on its own. It takes a behavioural change across the board and I am confident the awareness campaigns that will be funded at a community level under ALAGS will have a real impact. It’s hugely important for me to support and assist community effort with significant funding and recognition. I want to pay tribute to the passion, energy and dedication of thousands of local community and voluntary groups, schoolchildren and teachers who are taking their civic responsibilities seriously every single day through the many anti-litter initiatives that they drive for the preservation of our environment,” concluded Minister Naughten.

Notes for Editors:

Interested groups should contact their local authority.

Local Authority Allocation



Local Authority 2017 Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme (ALAGS) Allocations
Dublin City 72,000
Cork County 36,000
Fingal 36,000
South Dublin 36,000
Kildare 23,000
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown 36,000
Limerick City & County 51,000
Meath 26,000
Galway County 26,000
Donegal 26,000
Tipperary County 42,000
Kerry 26,000
Wexford 28,000
Wicklow 23,000
Mayo 23,000
Louth 23,000
Cork City 36,000
Clare 23,000
Waterford City & County 49,000

Kilkenny 23,000
Westmeath 19,000
Laois 19,000
Offaly 19,000
Galway City 36,000
Cavan 19,000
Sligo 19,000
Roscommon 19,000
Monaghan 19,000
Carlow 19,000
Longford 16,000
Leitrim 16,000

Totals 884,000