Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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139. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the proposal that in order to reduce the amount of graffiti, and cost to local authorities of removing it, the law should be changed to prohibit the sale of spray paints to persons aged under 18 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28815/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide significant powers to local authorities to deal with the defacement of structures by writing or other marks. In addition to the legislative provisions for penalties for committing graffiti-related offences under section 19 of the 1997 Act and in order to provide support to local communities, my Department has provided funding for the Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme, whereby local authorities are invited to submit proposed eligible projects to combat graffiti in their functional areas. It is open to local community groups to approach the local authority for assistance with funding for anti-graffiti projects.

The Department of Justice and Equality also has a role in the control of graffiti through the Criminal Damage Act 1991, which provides for the offences of damaging or defacing property.

The introduction of age-related restrictions on the purchase of spray paint to limit the availability of the product or discourage its inappropriate purchase could have an unfair impact on consumers who use the product for legally permitted purposes. Moreover, the administrative and regulatory burden arising from the introduction of such restrictions – for the public sector, industry and consumers – might well be disproportionate to any potential gains.