Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

167. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of fines issued for dog-fouling in each local authority area in the past ten years, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4686/24]

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

168. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to tackle the scourge of dog fouling across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4689/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.

Under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution lies with local authorities. 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 does not collate statistics on the number of fines issued by Local Authorities in relation to specific litter offences, such as dog fouling offences. Questions in relation to the number of litter fines issued in each county should be directed to the relevant local authority.

My Department provides financial support to local authority efforts to tackle litter through the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme. €750,000 was provided under this Scheme in 2023 with a similar amount expected to be made available in 2024.

Funding is also provided annually in support of a number of important anti-litter initiatives such as the National Spring Clean, Picker Pals, the PURE Project and Irish Business against Litter.