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[Press Release: July 23rd, 2008] New Bray litter and graffiti initiatives SchemeGreen Party Councillor Caroline Burrell welcomed the recent announcement that County Wicklow is to receive a grant of €36,000 to fund public education and awareness initiatives to reduce litter and graffiti. Mr. John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, announced the allocation of a total of €1,245,000 in grants to local authoritiesaround the country for public education and awareness initiatives in relation to both litter and graffiti.Cllr. Burrell said: "I am very happy that the Department of the Environment is making this money available to the Council in order to raise public awareness and promote anti-litter and anti-graffiti activity in Bray. We have already had a sucessful Graffiti Pilot Scheme running in Bray over the past year and this follow-on Scheme will help to make a difference." "Under the Litter Pollution Acts, local authorities have, in addition to litter functions, a responsibility to prevent and take remedial action in relation to graffiti. The criteria for selection of suitable projects under this scheme have been expanded in 2008 to include anti-graffiti awareness initiatives, in order to support local authorities in their work in this area. This will allow Bray Town Council the opportunity to fund projects including local media campaigns, clean-ups, primary/secondary school competitions, exhibitions and the production of videos, posters and leaflets. I am glad that there will be a particular emphasis on involving schools, young people and voluntary initiatives by community groups, as tackling litter and graffiti is very much a community project. "The appearance of a community is crucial to both social and economic activity, and first impressions count. I will continue to work with the Council to ensure that Bray remains well presented, and this year's grant, which is 33% higher than last year's, will greatly help us in this work. I would urge community & youth groups to check out this Scheme to see if applicable for funding and to avail of them."
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