A local independent councillor has welcomed the recent allocation of funding to tackle litter, dog fouling and graffiti in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.
Minister Denis Naughten announced the allocation of €884,000 to 31 local authorities under the 2018 Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council will be given €36,000 in grants, Dublin City €72,000, South Dublin €36,000 and Fingal €36,000.
Minister Naughten said: “Local authorities use this funding to raise awareness and encourage behavioural change to 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 welcome any initiatives that will increase awareness of this nuisance litter and the many public health risks, particularly for children, that is associated with dog owners not picking up their dog’s waste.”
Local councillor Deirdre Donnelly has welcomed the recent allocation of funding.
She said: “I am delighted that Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is amongst the recipients of this funding.
“Since I was elected almost four years ago, I have received complaints from many members of the public in my own local electoral area expressing their concern about graffiti, dog fouling and littering.
“I was at two clean-up days over the last two weeks and witnessed first-hand the amount of litter left in our parks by inconsiderate people.”
Cllr Donnelly also commented on the graffiti in the county, particularly on road signs.
“I think that this is really selfish and believe that harsher penalties should be imposed.
“Graffiti is a form of vandalism and I wish that the gardai had more power to prosecute those who carry it out.
“I have requested the removal of graffiti in the past and I understand that there is a cost to the council every time this has to be done.
“I really hope that this funding can go some way to preventing this problem from getting worse.”
The allocation of €884,000 brings the total grants provided under this Scheme over the last 10 years to almost €15 million.
