7 May 2018
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Over €100,000 approved to tackle illegal dumping, litter, dog fouling, and graffiti in Cork County
Cork Senator, and Seanad spokesperson for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Tim Lombard has confirmed that €72,990 in funding has been approved to tackle illegal dumping in Cork County, with a further €36,000 pledged to crack down on litter, dog fouling, and graffiti.
Senator Lombard
“The idea is to develop an effective and integrated approach with local authorities, communities, and other state agencies to reduce illegal dumping and nuisance litter by providing funding for projects tackling the problem.”
Senator Lombard continued: “Under the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the Anti-Dumping Initiative funding will empower people across Cork to take action against those who commit criminal acts against their communities by wilfully and irresponsibly dumping their waste and spoiling the most valuable asset we have – our natural environment.”
A wide range of clean-up and restorative projects, led by community, environmental, and sporting groups, have been approved for funding. The projects in Cork County are:
– Get Fitter, Pick Litter’
– Kilworth Clean-up
– Millstreet Tidy Town
– Localised clean up’s 5 locations
– Clean up of Bantry Bay
– Assistance to Ballincollig Tidy Towns
– Cobh MDC clean ups
– Bluehill Clean
– CCTV at recycling sites
– Clean up of Oilean Chleire
– Sherkin/Heir Islands clean-up initiative
– Dog Fouling – paws for thought
– Providing communities with the tools to engage and help the environment
– Clean up at rural countryside locations
The scope of the projects include: clean-up operations – removing illegal waste from across the country; awareness campaigns; preventative measures and surveillance operations – CCTV, drone and trail surveillance.
Separately, an allocation of €36,000 to tackle graffiti, dog fouling, and litter in Cork will also greatly benefit our local communities. Senator Lombard commented: “Local authorities use this programme to raise awareness and encourage behavioural change with regards to graffiti and littering of all types, including gum, cigarette butts, and dog fouling.
“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, posing many public health risks, particularly for children.
“Money alone cannot solve our litter problems; we need to focus on preventative measures, including behavioural change. I am confident the awareness campaigns, which will be funded through this scheme at a community level, will have a real impact.”
“I want to pay tribute to the passion, energy and dedication of hundreds of local community and voluntary groups, school-children, and teachers who are taking their civic responsibilities seriously and participating in anti-litter initiatives for the preservation of our environment.”
Minister for Environment Denis Naughten said: “Since the introduction of the Anti-Dumping Initiative last year, I have provided €3.3 million to local authorities in every county in the country to respond strongly to the challenges that those who choose to dump in our communities poses to the health, well-being and economic development of their own friends and neighbours.
“Our communities are central to the success of the Anti-Dumping Initiative. While they are the victims of this crime they have demonstrated through their active participation with this initiative that they are not prepared to surrender their beaches, mountainside, parks or streets to those amongst us who don’t take responsibility for the waste that they produce.
“It’s hugely important for me to support and assist community effort with significant funding and recognition through the 2018 Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme.”
