John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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184. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he would consider updating the Litter Pollution Act 1997 so as to increase the current fines structure of an on-the-spot fine of €150 or a maximum fine of €3,000 in court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58656/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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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.

The Department provides significant financial support annually to local authority efforts to tackle litter through the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme. €750,000 has been made available under this Scheme in 2025.

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.

The Department, in consultation with the local authority sector, will continue to keep the current level of penalties for litter related offences under review to ensure that those who are found to have failed to appropriately manage their litter are subject to the appropriate level of sanctions.