Almost Four Million Euro Pledged For Graffiti Reduction In Ireland

The Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform Mr. Brian Lenihan T.D., along with his colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, Mr. John Gormley T.D., launched the Community Graffiti Reduction Programme, a new national programme to support local communities to combat graffiti, last week. 

Under this programme, a broad approach is being taken to tackle graffiti and funding will be available for a wide range of initiatives to assist local communities to remove graffiti and to carry out activities which can assist in the long-term reduction in incidence of graffiti in their areas. Speaking at the launch, Minister Lenihan said: "This scheme was structured in such a way that it will facilitate communities taking the broadest approach to tackling graffiti, in their area in the way they feel will work best. Pobal is best placed to administer the scheme as is has demonstrated a high degree of commitment to supporting communities in their work to overcome disadvantage and to ensuring that communities get best value from the funding available to them."

Minister Lenihan added: "Graffiti is, at best, an irritant and at worst outright vandalism. It is regrettably found across a broad range of areas." Minister Gormley, agreeing that the proliferation of graffiti in certain areas was deplorable, said: "The appearance of a community is a key feature in encouraging social and economic activity and in identifying it as a desirable place to live, work and do business in.

"First impressions do count and an ongoing cooperative effort is required between the townspeople, the business community and local groups, such as the RAPID teams and the local authorities, to ensure that the town is well presented."