A new national programme to support local communities to combat graffiti was today announced by the Irish Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Brian Lenihan, along with his colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government John Gormley.

Under the Community 'Graffiti Reduction Programme', a broad approach is being taken to tackle graffiti and funding will be available for a wide range of initiatives to assist local communities to remove graffiti and to carry out activities which can assist in the long-term reduction in incidence of graffiti in their areas.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Lenihan said: "This scheme was structured in such a way that it will facilitate communities taking the broadest approach to tackling graffiti, in their area in the way they feel will work best."

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A budget of €3.75 million is available for the programme during 2008. The first set of funds to be allocated will be ring-fenced to RAPID (Revitalising Areas through Planning, Investment and Development) communities, which are disadvantaged areas prioritised by Government for a range of funding opportunities. Application forms will be sent to RAPID areas later this month.

Minister Lenihan added: "Graffiti is, at best, an irritant and at worst outright vandalism. It is regrettably found across a broad range of areas."

Minister Gormley said: "The appearance of a community is a key feature in encouraging social and economic activity and in identifying it as a desirable place to live, work and do business in. First impressions do count and an ongoing cooperative effort is required between the townspeople, the business community and local groups, such as the RAPID teams and the local authorities, to ensure that the town is well presented."

All areas of the country are eligible to apply for subsequent sets of funds, with applications being accepted from May 2008. Application forms will be issued in March.

(VB/JM)