€23,000 to tackle litter, dog fouling and graffiti

THE Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, has this morning announced the allocation of €884,000 from the Environment Fund to 31 local authorities under the 2018 Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme (ALAGS).

The allocation to Mayo County Council is €23,000.

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 suitable awareness projects that receive funding.

Today’s allocation brings the total grants provided under this scheme over the last 10 years to almost €15 million.

Said Minister Naughten: “Local authorities use this funding to raise awareness and encourage behavioural change 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 intrusive type of litter and a constant source of annoyance for us all on our streets, in our parks and on our beaches.

“I welcome any initiatives that will increase awareness of this nuisance litter and the many public health risks, particularly for children, that is associated with dog owners not picking up their dog’s waste.”