132. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide support for a deployment of a nationwide DNA dog testing trial, given the ineffectiveness of existing fines, the negative impact that dog fouling has on children, wheelchair users and people who are vision impaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41239/24]

Under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution, including dog fouling, lies with local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement, and clean-up actions in relation to litter taking account of local circumstances and priorities. There are no plans for a nationwide DNA testing project at this time.

My Department provides financial support to local authority efforts to tackle litter through the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme. €750,000 was provided under this Scheme in 2023 with a similar amount expected to be made available in 2024.

Funding is also provided annually in support of a number of important anti-litter initiatives such as the National Spring Clean, Picker Pals, the PURE Project and Irish Business against Litter.