Written answers

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Litter Pollution

Photo of Jennifer Murnane O'ConnorJennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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226. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of fixed penalty notices issued to persons who did not remove dog fouling by county; the counties which did not issue a single notice; the amount spent on awareness, signage and communication warnings to prevent dog fouling by county in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; his plans to tighten regulations to tackle the offence under the Litter Pollution Act 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16904/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Litter Pollution Acts, 1997 to 2009, provide the statutory framework to combat littering and include provisions relating to dog fouling. Under the Acts, the primary management and enforcement response to littering (including dog fouling) rests with Local Authorities.

It is a matter for each Local Authority to determine the most appropriate course of action to tackle litter pollution locally within the legislation provided. This includes the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement and clean-up actions in relation to litter and dog fouling, taking account of local circumstances and priorities.

My Department does not collate statistics on the number of fines issued by Local Authorities in relation to specific litter offences, such as dog fouling offences.

With regard to litter awareness and education, my Department has, since 1997, co-funded the Local Authority Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme (ALAGS).  Under the scheme, local authorities are responsible for selecting suitable awareness raising and educational projects for funding and deciding on individual grant allocations. Where possible, the focus is on voluntary initiatives by community and environmental groups, and also on involving schools and young people in anti-litter and anti-graffiti action. Typically, eligible projects include local media campaigns, clean-ups, primary/secondary school competitions, exhibitions, and the production of videos, posters and leaflets. Local authorities will continue to be encouraged, where practical under the scheme to expend a portion of their grant on dog fouling awareness projects.

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