Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, has announced 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.

-- Advertisement --

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.

Minister Hogan said: "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."

(CD/MH)