County Clare, IRELAND, 24th July 07 – Clare County Council has been allocated EUR23k for public education and awareness initiatives on litter.
Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, announced the allocation as part of a EUR950k national grant aid package for local authorities.
Commenting on the 2007 grant allocations, Minister Killeen acknowledged the efforts being made by local authorities to tackle the country’s litter problem.
“Local authorities have taken great strides to progressively combat litter pollution, but much still remains to be done”, stated Minister Killeen.
He continued, “I am calling on Clare County Council to take all practical steps to raise public awareness of the environmental damage caused by litter pollution and educate the public about their responsibilities to prevent and control litter. This EUR23k will enable the Council to engage in a wide range of activities aimed at stimulating greater public involvement and encouraging a more responsible attitude towards litter.”
The grants to city and county councils are intended to cover a broad range of measures to raise public awareness and stimulate anti-litter activity at local level. Local media campaigns, clean-ups, primary/secondary schools competitions, exhibitions and the production of anti-litter videos, posters and leaflets, are typical of the projects eligible for grant aid.
Local authorities are responsible for selecting suitable projects and deciding on individual allocations, which are subject to specified criteria such as a focus on involving schools and young people and on voluntary initiatives by community and environmental groups. The maximum grant allowed for any one project may be up to 70% of the project costs and the balance must be met by local contributions.
The EUR950k allocated nationally represents a major increase of 41% on the 2006 allocations, and brings the total amount granted to local authorities for anti-litter awareness initiatives to well over €6 million since the Litter Pollution Act was introduced in 1997.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor:
- Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government and Communication Energy and Natural Resources with special responsibility for Environment and Energy, is available for interview and further comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High resolution image of Minister Killeen available on request
