Naughten allocates €19,000 to tackle litter, dog fouling and graffiti in Roscommon

In Environment, Local Issues, News by Denis Naughten

Local Minister Denis Naughten has today announced an allocation of €19,000 to tackle graffiti, dog fouling and litter in Roscommon.

“I am proud to say that Roscommon is continuing to be a national leader when it comes to tackling litter, which is proven by our county’s place in the recent Irish Business Against Litter national survey rankings. This great achievement is due to the civic pride and hard work of the people and businesses in Roscommon. Within the resources I have as Environment Minister I am proud to support community and voluntary groups and schools in Roscommon with funding that will have tangible impact in our county.”

Nationwide the Minister for Environment Denis Naughten is making available a total of €884,000 to 31 Local Authorities under the 2018 Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme (ALAGS).

The Scheme provides funding to local authorities to conduct public awareness and education campaigns at a community level targeting litter, dog fouling and graffiti. Each local authority is responsible for selecting the suitable awareness projects that receive funding. Today’s allocation of €884,000 brings the total grants provided under this Scheme over the last 10 years to almost €15 million.

Minister Naughten added: “Today I am pleased to announce that I am allocating €19,000 under the 2018 Anti-Litter Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme (ALAGS) to Roscommon County Council. Last year, I increased funding for ALAGS by 28% and I am delighted to be able to say that I will be able to maintain this level of funding for the programme. Local authorities use this programme to raise awareness and encourage behavioural change to help tackle graffiti and littering of all types, including gum, cigarette butts and dog fouling, which is a particular bugbear of mine. Dog fouling is perhaps the most intrusive type of litter and a constant source of annoyance for us all on our streets, in our parks and on our beaches. I would really welcome any initiatives that will increase awareness of this nuisance litter and the many public health risks associated with dog owners not picking up their dog’s waste, particularly for children. Littering is environmental sabotage but money alone cannot solve our litter problems. It takes a behavioural change across the board and I am confident the awareness campaigns that will be funded through this scheme at a community level in Roscommon will have a real impact. It’s hugely important for me to support and assist community effort with significant funding and recognition. I want to pay tribute to the passion, energy and dedication of hundreds of local community and voluntary groups, schoolchildren and teachers who are taking their civic responsibilities seriously every single day through the many anti-litter initiatives that they drive across our communities for the preservation of our environment. 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the National Spring Clean (NSC) which is organised and run by An Taisce and co-financed by my Department. NSC is currently running for the month of April across the country and here in Roscommon-Galway where more than 300 clean-ups are taking place this month. I am confident that the scheme will be another resounding success,” concluded Minister Naughten.

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