A €1.2m grant scheme to aid local authorities in tackling litter and graffiti has been announced by Minister for the Environment John Gormley.
The scheme represents an increase in funding of one third, compared to last year.
The money will be divided up among 34 city and county councils - with the biggest grants going to Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
Mr Gormley said there had been a modest but sustained decrease in litter pollution levels around the country.
However, he added that much remains to be done.
