John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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36. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number and location of local authorities that have used the litter enforcement grants to purchase CCTV equipment, enhanced lighting or undertaken other measures to deter anti-social behaviour, graffiti and illegal dumping, particularly in litter black spots; the progress reported by local authorities following on from this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11806/14]

John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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42. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the progress in relation to the litter enforcement grants scheme; his plans to extend the duration and nature of the scheme; if there are any proposals to allow for legal graffiti walls in towns and cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11807/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 42 together.

A list of the local authorities which were granted funding from the once-off grant allocation of €750,000 provided by my Department in 2012 to assist local authorities improve enforcement in the area of fly-tipping and small-scale illegal dumping is set out in the table below. My Department does not have details of the number or location of CCTV cameras installed by local authorities to address incidences of litter and graffiti, as management and enforcement responses to litter and graffiti are the primary responsibility of each local authority.

My Department also provides funding under the anti-litter and anti-graffiti awareness grant scheme to support local authority efforts to encourage long-term behavioural change by individuals. I made a total of €900,000 available to fund suitable projects under the scheme in 2013 and will be making €850,000 available this year.

Data available under the National Litter Pollution Monitoring System show that the number of areas surveyed in 2012 deemed to be completely unpolluted stands at 10.4%, the highest level achieved since monitoring began. Conversely, the number of areas surveyed deemed to be grossly polluted at 0.3% is at the lowest ever level. Data for 2013 are not yet available. Sections 19 and 20 Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the legislative framework for the treatment of graffiti, including, as necessary, powers for local authorities to remove or otherwise remedy the defacement. Section 19 provides that, where any structure is in or is visible from a public place, a person who is not owner, occupier or person in charge thereof shall not carry out any defacement thereof by writing or other marks, unless the person is authorised to do so in writing by such owner, occupier or person in charge.