Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, announced today (21 March 2014) the provision of €850,000 in grants from the Environment Fund to local authorities under the 2014 Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme. The Scheme enables local authorities to provide funding support to appropriate public education and awareness initiatives in relation to both litter and graffiti. In conjunction with the €2.975m announced last week under the Public Area Enhancement Scheme, a total of €3.825m has been provided by the Minister in recent days to local authorities for the improvement, clean-up and upkeep of their public areas in 2014.
The anti-litter grants to city and county councils under the Scheme cover a broad range of measures aimed at raising public awareness of the litter issue and promoting anti-litter and anti-graffiti activity at a local level. There is a particular focus on voluntary initiatives involving schools, young people and community groups.
The dedicated Public Area Enhancement scheme will assist local authorities manage to prepare and maintain their public areas in an effort to maximise the economic benefits that can flow from increased visitors to their towns and cities.
In announcing these provisions for 2014, Minister Hogan acknowledged the contribution that local communities have made in recent years to the continued decrease in litter pollution across the country. “This funding is intended to further assist in efforts to raise awareness of the litter issue within their area and to encourage local participation in anti-litter efforts. I urge local authorities to continue to work with community groups and schools to tackle litter and graffiti problems. The appearance of our cities, towns, villages and our rural and coastal environments is crucial to both social and economic activity across the country, and contributes significantly to tourism, creating jobs and generally adding value to everyday lives.”
ENDS
2014 Aggregate Grant Allocations under the Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness & the Public Area Enhancement Schemes
County Council Anti-Litter
€ Public Area Enhancement
€ Total
€
Carlow 18,890 70,000 88,890
Cavan 18,890 70,000 88,890
Clare 22,670 90,000 112,670
Cork 33,050 105,000 138,050
Donegal 25,500 105,000 130,500
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown 33,050 105,000 138,050
Fingal 33,050 105,000 138,050
Galway 25,500 105,000 130,500
Kerry 25,500 90,000 115,500
Kildare 22,670 105,000 127,670
Kilkenny 22,670 90,000 112,670
Laois 18,890 90,000 108,890
Leitrim 17,000 70,000 87,000
Limerick 25,500 90,000 115,500
Longford 17,000 70,000 87,000
Louth 22,670 90,000 112,670
Mayo 22,670 90,000 112,670
Meath 25,500 105,000 130,500
Monaghan 18,890 70,000 88,890
Offaly 18,890 90,000 108,890
Roscommon 18,890 70,000 88,890
Sligo 18,890 70,000 88,890
South County Dublin 33,050 105,000 138,050
South Tipperary 18,890 90,000 108,890
North Tipperary 18,890 70,000 88,890
Waterford 18,000 70,000 88,000
Westmeath 18,890 90,000 108,890
Wexford 25,500 90,000 115,500
Wicklow 22,670 90,000 112,670
City Council
Cork 33,060 90,000 123,060
Dublin 66,040 105,000 171,040
Galway 33,060 90,000 123,060
Limerick 28,350 70,000 98,350
Waterford 38,350 70,000 108,350
TOTAL 850,000
2,975,000
3,825,000
NOTE: Allocations to city councils reflect the significant transient population in these areas (workers, tourists, students etc).