Gormley And Kitt Announce Grants For Public Education Initiatives On Litter And Graffiti

John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and Michael Kitt, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, have announced the allocation of €1,070,000 in grants to local authorities for public education and awareness initiatives in relation to both litter and graffiti.

This brings the total amount granted to local authorities for anti-litter awareness initiatives to over €8.74 million since the Litter Pollution Act was introduced in 1997.

The 2009 allocation represents a decrease of 14% on the 2008 allocation, necessitated by the challenging economic circumstances, but both Ministers said they were confident that, despite the decrease, local authorities can continue their important work in this area.

The grants to city and county councils cover a broad range of measures to raise public awareness and promote anti-litter and anti-graffiti activity at local level. 

Typically, eligible projects include local media campaigns, clean-ups, primary/secondary school competitions, exhibitions and the production of videos, posters and leaflets.

There is a particular focus on involving schools and young people and on voluntary initiatives carried out by community groups. 

The Department makes a maximum grant for a project of up to 70% of the total cost, with the balance being met by way of local contribution. 

In announcing the grant allocations for 2009, Minister Gormley said, "Despite the economic slow down, it is important that we strive to maintain the sustained decrease we have seen in litter pollution levels across the country over the last ten years.

"While there has been a small decrease in the level of grants allocated this year, this in no way reflects any lack of commitment on the part of Government to the ongoing war against litter.

"The appearance of a community remains vital to both social and economic activity, and local authorities and community groups must strive to do more with less."