'Uphill battle' to keep Galway clean despite multimillion euro allocation

‘It's a big battle that has to be won every single day’

Published 16th Aug 2026, 15:15 BST Litter on Salthill beach | Cllr Niall McNelis video ‘It's a big battle that has to be won every single day’ Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.

Galway City Council has earmarked more than €5.5 million for litter management and street cleaning this year, but cleaner streets would require either increased commercial rates or additional Government funding, according to Labour Cllr Níall McNelis.

Budget figures show the council has allocated €4.17 million to its street cleaning service, including €3.56 million for street cleaning operations and €606,000 in support costs.

A further €1.38 million has been set aside for litter management, covering litter wardens, environmental awareness campaigns, litter control initiatives and management costs.

“If we want to increase street cleaning, we have to spend more money," Cllr McNelis told Galway Live.

"That means either increasing commercial rates or securing additional Government funding."

Describing keeping Galway clean as "a big battle," Cllr McNelis said council crews were working hard to cope with growing visitor numbers despite having fewer resources than some other cities.

"It's a big battle that has to be won every single day," he said.

"We are doing our best with small resources compared to other cities.

"We are relying on rates and it is an elastic band in the short term. There is a commitment to tackle this."

The council's Local Municipal Unit (LMU) employs a crew of around 40 staff responsible for cleaning the city's streets, beaches and public spaces.

During busy periods, including the Galway International Arts Festival and the Galway Races, additional litter pickers are deployed, city centre bins are emptied up to three times a day and staff work from early morning until late evening to deal with increased footfall.

Read More WATCH: Galway Rose Jodie Kenny’s funny reason behind entering Rose of Tralee Best business advice Supermac’s owner Pat McDonagh ever received was only four words Popular Galway hairdressers closing after 20 years thanks 'heartbeat of business' customers The city centre is washed every morning using a tractor and tanker, while an industrial hot power washer purchased by the council is due to come into operation.

Galway City Council also leased six new mechanical sweepers, which entered service in June to enhance street-cleaning services.

Approximately 250 public litter bins are maintained across the city, with additional bins provided at locations such as Ladies Beach and Middle Arch during periods of fine weather.

The 2026 allocation of €5.55 million represents an increase of almost €800,000 from last year's €4.75 million for street cleaning and litter management.

Despite the level of investment, Cllr McNelis said litter often outpaced cleaning efforts during the busiest periods.

"By the afternoon they've almost lost the battle because of the volume of people in the city," he said. He said the presentation of commercial waste remained a significant issue, with seagulls regularly tearing open bags left outside businesses before they could be collected.

And he said the type of rubbish strewn across the city was changing.

"The coffee cup is the new cigarette butt," he said, adding that disposable vape packaging and stickers had also become increasingly common forms of litter.

The council is planning to relaunch its "Adopt a Spot" initiative to encourage community involvement in litter picking, while businesses are also being urged to ensure waste is presented correctly for collection.

Cllr McNelis said there was also "a huge emphasis" on improving the appearance of vacant and derelict commercial premises in the city centre.

He said recent enforcement action had encouraged many property owners to engage with the council.

Read More People living in Galway estate warned after neighbour witnesses disturbing incident Seven Galway natives win Boston Football Championship Man hospitalised after being bitten by shark off the Irish coast However, Cllr McNelis said keeping Galway clean remained a shared responsibility.

"The chewing gum on the ground isn't from Galway City Council," he said.

"Everyone has a part to play. It's an uphill battle, but it's one we have to keep fighting every day."

In correspondence with Cllr McNelis following complaints about litter during the July heatwave, a Galway City Council official said overtime had been increased for existing staff members, with supervisors and foremen deploying crews where they were most needed.

Staff also patrolled beaches distributing litter bags to visitors, a measure the council said appeared to encourage people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly.