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Funding boost to empower over 24,000 children and their families to take environmental action in their communities
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with special responsibility for the Circular Economy, Alan Dillon, today announced funding of nearly €380,000 for the Picker Pals Programme, which will see the programme delivered to 966 classrooms nationwide this year. Minister O’Brien said: “I’m delighted that our Department is supporting the expansion of Picker Pals to nearly a thousand classrooms across Ireland. This programme is a fantastic example of how we can inspire environmental responsibility from an early age. By empowering children to take action in their own communities, we’re helping to build a culture of care and sustainability that will benefit generations to come.” Speaking after a visit to one of the school’s involved in the programme, Minister of State Alan Dillon said: “I am pleased to continue the Department’s support for the programme, which delivers environmental education to primary schools, focusing on litter, and providing the tools for children and their families to pick up litter in their area. I understand that teachers and their students love the programme, which has helped to make it such a success. “Visiting Meelickmore National School in Mayo, I saw firsthand the enthusiasm of teachers and students for the programme, which has clearly helped make it such a success.” Meelickmore NS is a 4-teacher rural primary school near Claremorris Co. Mayo. The school have been participating in the programme for the last 3 years. Last year they earned a special visit from Picker Pals because they are so enthusiastic about caring for the environment. This school has just received a Booster Box, as they are keen to reuse the equipment they already had in one class and have even applied for another pack for a different room so that more classes can take part at the same time. Ms. Keaveney, a teacher at Meelickmore N.S. said: "The Picker Pals programme is great initiative for schools! The children get a little kit that they bring home every week to pick up litter with their families, then do a little report about it. They love it! It helps to embed the habits of litter-picking or simply not dropping litter in the first place. It instils those environmental values in them." Picker Pals is delivered by Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment (VOICE), a leading E-NGO focused on waste reduction and citizen engagement. Since its launch, the programme has grown into a national movement, empowering thousands of children to be active stewards of their environment. This year the programme is aiming to inspire over 24,000 primary school children and 36,000 of their family members to take action. Picker Pals is active in every county in Ireland, helping to foster environmental responsibility from a young age by getting children directly involved in caring for their communities. Gary Jones, Programme Manager at VOICE Ireland talked about the scheme: “Picker Pals gives young children the chance to become “The Boss” on family litter-picks and sets positive attitudes towards the environment as a result” At the heart of the programme is the Picker Pack, a kit containing family-sized litter-picking equipment and classroom resources. Each week, a different child brings the pack home from school and leads a family litter-pick, sharing their experience with classmates when they return. This model not only removes litter from local areas, but also builds lasting awareness and pride of place. In fact, over 900 tonnes of waste have been collected by Picker Pals since the programme began. To promote sustainable use of equipment, schools will receive packs on a 50:50 basis. New schools receive a Full Programme Pack, including all necessary equipment and learning materials. Returning schools receive a Booster Box, which enables them to reuse existing equipment while benefiting from refreshed educational content. The programme is further enriched with:
The Department of the Environment’s support ensures that the programme remains completely free for schools, removing barriers to participation and enabling long-term impact at scale. SCHOOL QUOTES Picker Pals is an amazing initiative for the whole-school community. The families took responsibility for the upkeep of their locality and it really empowered our pupils. St. Mary's NS, Lifford We did Picker Pals last year - Brilliant response the kids and their parents loved it too! Barnacarroll CNS, Claremorris Our students got a real sense of achievement being able to go out and collect litter. It tied in with our tidy schools and they loved the litter pickers. St. Mary's Special School, Rochestown My students absolutely loved Picker Pals this year. I think it had a huge impact of them and help them get used to take care of their environment. St. Brigid’s NS, Cabinteely, Dublin Comments are closed.
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February 2026
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