More than one in 10 people rank litter as more of a concern in their locality than crime, anti-social behaviour, road safety and drug abuse, according to a survey for the Irish Business Against Litter (Ibal) group.
The survey of 347 people, carried out by the Research Centre, found that 61 per cent believe Ireland is cleaner now than it was 10 years ago while 20 per cent believe it is dirtier.
Respondents to the survey were asked to list eight issues of concern in order of importance including road safety, crime, anti-social behaviour, litter, drug abuse, noise, pollution, and graffiti.
When all first second and third choices were added up, litter came fourth behind road safety, crime and anti-social behaviour as the biggest issue of concern.
Those living in rural villages or towns are more positive about the change in litter levels than those living in cities. Some 64 per cent of those outside Dublin believe things have improved, compared to 55 per cent in the capital.
Ibal spokesman Conor Horgan said litter problems had not improved as much in city as in rural areas, in part because city authorities focus their street cleaning in high footfall areas.
Some 12 per cent of respondents (41 out of 347) said litter was the most important issue of concern for them.
The survey was conducted in advance of the beginning of the alliance’s 2015 campaign against litter in which it will monitor rubbish levels in 40 towns and cities.According to Ibal litter is a particular concern to those living in city areas and the alliance of business groups has included Garryowen, in Limerick city, as a specific city area in this year’s campaign against rubbish.
