David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 17 May 2011, the further progress which has been made regarding support for adopt-a-road initiatives; if proposals to encourage the expansion of such schemes through engagement with local authorities and local communities have been completed by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30360/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Under the Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 it is the function of local authorities to provide the primary response to littering. My Department's role is to provide the legislative framework for combating litter pollution, and to motivate and energise anti-litter responses as necessary. It is the responsibility of each local authority to both prioritise and determine the most appropriate course of action to tackle litter pollution within the relevant legislation.

As stated in the previous reply referred to, the Anti-Litter Awareness Grant Scheme, which is administered by my Department, allows local authorities the opportunity to apply for grant funding for suitable projects such as adopt a road schemes. In the context of making allocations from the €1 million I have made available under the Anti Litter Awareness Grant Scheme this year, I requested local authorities to examine and investigate the possible roll-out of adopt a road schemes in their functional areas, where practicable. Of the 34 submissions received from local authorities, 14 have applied for funding of adopt a road type schemes. This represents a significant increase over the 2010 figures, where 6 local authorities had projects of this nature in operation. It is estimated that the total cost of the projects this year will be in excess of €90,000, compared to approximately €33,000 in 2010.