New Dog Foul Bins and Increased Fines

Draft article for ciaranfisher.ie

I welcome the recent announcement by Minister of State Alan Dillon of a significant increase in on-the-spot litter fines and a new €250,000 national fund specifically aimed at providing more dog waste bins and related infrastructure.

From September 2026, the fixed-payment fine for littering will rise from €150 to €250. This is a clear signal that littering has consequences. The vast majority of people dispose of their waste responsibly, but the actions of a minority spoil public spaces for everyone else and impose real costs on local authorities and taxpayers. And don't get me started on how insulting it is to people wheelchairs. Higher fines reinforce the simple principle that the polluter should pay.

On top of that, the new Cleaner Communities fund. Financed through the Circular Economy Fund, the €250,000 will support local authorities in purchasing additional dog waste bins, bag dispensers and related infrastructure in parks, beaches, greenways and other locations regularly used by dog owners. A circular will issue to councils with the application details in due course.

This is particularly welcome locally. For a number of years there has been an effective freeze on the installation of new bins in Dundalk and Louth. That has been a source of real frustration. I have repeatedly called for additional dog fouling bins in key areas where the problem is most visible and most complained about by residents — including Seatown and Mount Avenue. Responsible dog owners need convenient places to dispose of waste properly. When those facilities are missing, the problem simply gets worse.

The new fund gives Louth County Council some much-needed wiggle room. It will not solve every gap overnight, but it should allow for the installation of at least a few new dog fouling bins in priority locations. That is progress.

I would encourage anyone who knows of a particular spot that badly needs a bin to get in touch with me. Whether it is a residential street, a green area, a walking route or a public amenity, local knowledge matters. Send me your suggestions and I will raise them with the Council as applications for this funding are prepared.

Alongside the higher fines and the new infrastructure funding, a national awareness campaign — “Bin it or bring it home” — is also being promoted. The message is straightforward: if there is no bin nearby, take your litter (and dog waste) home. Cleaner communities are the result of both enforcement and everyday responsibility. Let me know if you think a footpath stencil might be of use in your locality.

This package of measures is a practical step in the right direction. Higher fines, targeted investment in bins, and continued public awareness can make a real difference on our streets, in our parks and in our neighbourhoods. I will continue to press for the best possible outcome for Dundalk and Louth from this fund, and I look forward to seeing new bins in place where they are needed most.