Joe O'Brien - Green Party
Minister Joe O’Brien welcomes €5m additional funding as Fingal prepares for an outdoor summer
5th May, 2021
Minister Joe O’Brien (Green Party)
Dublin Fingal
5th May 2021
Minister Joe O’Brien welcomes €5m additional funding as Fingal prepares for an outdoor summer
Minister Joe O’Brien has welcomed the announcement that an additional €5 million in funding will be made available for litter infrastructure and awareness campaigns to encourage people to dispose of their rubbish thoughtfully.
Minister O’Brien said the extra funding would have a huge impact on both visitors and the local community as people enjoy Fingal this summer.
“This funding comes at an opportune time as a lot of our beauty spots and beaches have been heavily populated with more people enjoying amenities closer to home due to COVID-19. There has been a problem with littering due to insufficient bins at these locations to meet the extra demand.”
Colleague Minister Ryan also confirmed that a further €3 million in funding will be provided to local authorities in support of the 2021 Anti-Dumping Initiative and approved €225k in funding for An Taisce in support of an extended 2021 National Spring Clean programme, which this year will run through the summer months due to the effect of the ongoing Covid situation on their traditional timetable.
Minister O’Brien commented:
“This extra funding will support local authorities so we can all enjoy an outdoor summer in a pleasant environment. The funding will add more recycling and litter facilities to meet increased demand – but it’s also up to all of us to clean up our act when it comes to litter and make a conscious effort to leave no trace.”
Minister Ryan has sought an immediate mapping of bin infrastructure to identify optimum placement of new bins and to pinpoint where smart solar-compacting bins could be feasible. Minister Ryan will also seek to harmonise the local authority response to the litter issue, to centralise procurement of materials, so that quality litter pickers, gloves, dog litter bags and bins are available. The aim will be to reduce costs, reduce duplication of effort and to harmonise the quality of product.
ENDS
For more information please contact johanna.walsh@oireachtas.ie