John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is positive that the Minister is giving consideration to the issue. Tidy Towns committees have a positive impact on all of our communities. I mentioned the four towns in my area in which the results have all improved year on year. In areas which have not traditionally been part of Tidy Towns competitions Tidy Towns committees are also being established and beginning to take part in the process. It is important that they be seen to be supported at Government level. This year we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the competition. Most Tidy Towns committees work in collaboration with the local authorities. They do not operate in isolation. They link with other community and environmental groups and the overall benefit is enormous. They fundraise locally. It is small money from the Department, but the difference €1,000 or €2,000 makes to a Tidy Towns committee in terms of its annual budget is significant. The indications the Minister has given are positive. Those of us on this side of the House will give him every support and encouragement in developing a national grant scheme for Tidy Towns committees.

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