Over €800,000 from the Environment Fund has been allocated to local authorities for provision of the 2014 Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has announced.

The fund has been allocated to local authorities for litter and graffiti "public education and awareness initiatives".

Minister Hogan has granted a total of €3.825 million in recent days for the improvement, clean-up and upkeep of their public areas in 2014.

The anti-litter grant is designed to raise public awareness of the litter issue, while also promoting anti-litter and anti-graffiti activity at a local level. Voluntary initiatives involving schools, young people and community groups will be a large part of the scheme.

"This funding is intended to further assist in efforts to raise awareness of the litter issue within their area and to encourage local participation in anti-litter efforts," Minister Hogan said.

Adding: "I urge local authorities to continue to work with community groups and schools to tackle litter and graffiti problems. The appearance of our cities, towns, villages and our rural and coastal environments is crucial to both social and economic activity across the country, and contributes significantly to tourism, creating jobs and generally adding value to everyday lives."

(MH/IT)