Litter fines to rise by €100 from 1 September

Litter fines will be increased from €150 to €250 from 1 September, Minister of State for the Circular Economy Alan Dillon has said.

The minister has also launched a new €250,000 fund for local authorities to keep public areas, parks, beaches and greenways clean.

It will also focus on dog fouling, with funding being provided for dog waste bins and bag dispensers.

"We want to make it easier for responsible dog owners to do the right thing and help keep our parks, beaches and public spaces clean," Mr Dillion said.

A circular will be issued to local authorities with the details on how to apply for this funding.

The announcement coincides with the publication of the 2025 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System results, which show improvements in litter levels across Ireland.

DNA testing of dog droppings considered

As part of the fund, Mr Dillon has said the possibility of DNA-testing dog droppings to assist in owners being fined is being looked into.

There were only 48 fines issued for dog fouling nationwide last year.

Mr Dillon said DNA testing of dog dropping is something which is "within the realm of possibility".

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with David McCullagh, he said: "I have reached out to my officials to seek a briefing in regard to DNA testing. I know it was a motion that was raised at the Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown Municipal District meeting.

"We do need to explore all avenues in terms of how we can get greater prosecutions and certainly linking DNA testing with dog licences, ensuring that swabs are taken when dogs are registered, would be an important enforcement measure."

However, he said the cost is something that needs to be reviewed and analysed.

"If it is something that is replicated in other European jurisdictions then it should be replicated here in Ireland," he said.

"It is something I hope to have further details in the coming months," he added.