53. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if it is proposed to implement additional measures that would assist in the reduction of littering in public places and along roads throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65864/26]

Under the Litter Pollution Act 1997, primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution 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.

Notwithstanding this fact, I have recently announced a package of measures to support communities in combating litter, including a new €250,000 dog fouling fund for local authorities in addition to the €750,000 I have already made available in 2026 to support local authority efforts to tackle litter through the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme. The fine for litter offences has also been increased from €150 to €250 as of 1st September while the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices have also rolled out a nationwide anti-litter awareness campaign – 'Bin it or bring it home' supported by the Department. The Anti-Dumping Initiative plays a key role in tackling the issue of illegal dumping. €23 million in funding has been provided to date for 2,200 projects nationwide and for the removal of 26,000 tonnes of illegally dumped material. This is the tenth year of the ADI which is funded by the department through the Circular Economy Fund to support the local authority sector to take action in conjunction with local communities and other State Agencies to tackle the problem of illegal dumping across the country. Funding of €3 million is being available in support of the ADI in 2026. Full details of all projects supported (by year) since the introduction of the ADI are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/anti-dumping-initiative.

In addition, the Department continues to support a range of successful national and community-based initiatives that play a vital role in preventing and reducing litter. Through annual funding for programmes such as National Spring Clean, Picker Pals, the PURE Project and Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL), we are helping to foster greater public awareness, encourage positive behavioural change, and empower communities, schools and businesses to take an active role in protecting and enhancing their local environment.