David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 341: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 20 of 20 October 2011, the amount made available under the anti-litter awareness grant scheme for 2012; the amount expended under this scheme in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6707/12]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 342: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 20 of 20 October 2011, regarding the €1 million funding available under the anti-litter awareness grant scheme in 2011, the number of submissions received from local authorities regarding the possible roll-out of adopt a road schemes in their functional areas; the total number who applied for funding of such schemes; the amounts subsequently allocated for these schemes; if he has received any applications from local authorities this year for adopt a road schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6708/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 342 together.

As stated in the previous reply referred to, 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.

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. Under the scheme in 2011, I requested local authorities to examine and investigate the possible roll-out of adopt a road schemes in their functional areas, where practicable.

34 submissions were received from local authorities in respect of the €1 million funding which was made available in 2011 under the scheme and a total of €985,218 was paid out in grant assistance in respect of eligible projects. Of the 34 submissions received, 14 local authorities applied for and were allocated funding for adopt a road type projects. The total amount of funding provided for these projects was €91,042.

Details of the individual payments to local authorities for adopt a road projects in 2011 are set out in the table.

Funding for the Anti Litter Awareness Grant Scheme is provided from the Environment Fund and the 2012 Environment Fund allocations are currently being finalised. Local authorities will then be invited to apply for grant aid for projects which meet the criteria set out in the Anti-Litter Awareness Grant Scheme. As in 2011, I will again be requesting local authorities to examine the further roll-out of additional adopt a road projects in their functional areas, where practicable.