On-the-spot litter fines to increase to €250 from September

On-the-spot littering fines in Ireland will increase from €150 to €250 beginning on 1 September, Minister of State Alan Dillon has announced.

Minister Dillon, who holds responsibility for the Circular Economy, introduced the fine increase as part of a wider suite of measures targeting litter reduction.

New Funding for Local Infrastructure

To support local authorities, a new €250,000 funding allocation has been established. This fund is earmarked for councils to purchase dog waste bins, bag dispensers, and associated public infrastructure in popular dog-walking areas. In tandem with the physical infrastructure, a new national awareness campaign under the slogan "Bin it or bring it home" has commenced.

National Litter Survey Findings

Data from the 2025 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System, which has surveyed Irish litter trends since 1999, shows a general decline in litter pollution nationwide. However, the findings highlight that individual behavior remains a primary issue:

• **Pedestrians** represent the largest source of litter, responsible for 39% of litter recorded nationally.
• **Motorists** are the second largest source, accounting for almost one-fifth of litter pollution.

Despite these challenges, local cleanliness ratings have improved. Over 20% of surveyed locations are now categorized as completely unpolluted, rising from 19.2% in 2024. Moderately polluted areas decreased from over 17% to over 13%, while significantly polluted areas also saw a downward trend.