David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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94. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on local community groups working to keep their own areas litter free through the organised collection of litter; the measures being taken by his Department to support such groups; if he further intends to assist and encourage such activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35461/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement and clean-up actions in relation to litter taking account of local circumstances and priorities. My Department provides support to local authority efforts to involve community groups in tackling litter on a number of fronts.

The Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme (ALAGS), which has been co-funded by my Department since 2007 includes provision for the engagement of community groups in litter clean-ups nationwide. Under the scheme, local authorities are responsible for selecting suitable projects for funding and deciding on individual grant allocations. €750,000 has been provided in support of the scheme in 2022. 

My Department also provides significant funding to An Taisce to oversee the operation of the National Spring Clean, an annual campaign which encourages every sector of society to actively participate and take responsibility for litter by conducting clean ups in their own local environment. Funding of €225,000 has been provided in support of the 2022 campaign, which has seen over 5,000 community groups register to take part in clean up events across the country.

My Department also oversees the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI), which was introduced in 2017 to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, community groups and other State Agencies to tackling the problem of illegal dumping. Funding of over €12m has been provided by my Department under the Initiative, which has supported the delivery of over 1,250 projects nationwide. A further €3 million has been allocated in support of this Initiative in 2022.