On-the-spot littering and dog fouling fines to rise to €250 from September

On-the-spot fines for littering and dog fouling in Ireland will increase from €150 to €250 starting on 1 September 2026.

Minister of State for the Circular Economy, Alan Dillon, announced the €100 increase as part of a government initiative to target littering and illegal dumping across the Republic of Ireland. The measure aims to discourage littering behaviour and prompt more robust enforcement measures by local authorities.

Currently, individuals caught littering or failing to clear up after their dogs face a fixed payment notice of €150. This penalty will rise to €250 when the change comes into effect.

In addition to the increased penalty rate, local authorities are being urged to step up their enforcement activities to ensure the higher fines have a meaningful impact. The transition to the new penalty rate is expected to be formally enacted through legislation shortly.