David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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152. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has developed any policy proposals or guidelines regarding adopt-a-highway or adopt-a-road schemes which are operating successfully in other countries; his plans so support such initiatives here at national level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9798/14]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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153. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the amount available in 2013 and 2014 to local authorities through the anti-litter awareness grant scheme; if he will provide a breakdown of funding per each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9799/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together.

My Department provides the legislative framework within which litter pollution is addressed. Under the statutory framework of the Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009, it is a matter for each local authority to decide upon the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement and clean-up actions in relation to both litter and illegal dumping, taking account of local circumstances and priorities. My Department also provides funding to local authorities to support their efforts in this area.

Under the Anti-Litter Awareness Grant Scheme administered by my Department, local authorities may apply for grant funding for suitable projects including adopt-a- road schemes. Under the scheme in 2013 , I requested local authorities to examine and investigate the possible roll-out of adopt-a- road schemes in their functional areas, where practicable. In 2013, my Department made total funding of €900,000 available for schemes under the overall Anti-Litter Awareness Grant Scheme. A total of over € 876,000 was paid out, including over €95,000 paid to 15 local authorities specifically in respect of adopt-a-road schemes.

Funding for the Anti- Litter Awareness Grant Scheme is provided from t he Environment Fund and the 2014 allocations are currently being finalised. Once finalised, local authorities will be invited to apply for grant aid for projects which meet the criteria set out in the Scheme. As in 2013 , 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.

Details of the individual allocations made available to local authorities under the Anti - Litter Awareness Grant Scheme in 2013 are set out in the table.