Agenda - March 2025 County Council Meeting

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Date:
10/03/2025 15:30
Location:
Council Chamber
Standing Orders:

Headed Items

H-I (1)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

CONFIRMATION AND REAFFIRMATION OF MINUTES - FOR APPROVAL

(a) February 2025 Council Minutes - 10th February 2025

(b) December 2024 Council Minutes - 09th December 2024

(c) Annual Budget Minutes 2024 - 14th November 2024

(d) October 2024 Council Minutes - 14th October 2024

(e) September 2024 Council Minutes - 9th September 2024

(f) June 2024 Annual Meeting Minutes - 21st June 2024

H-I (2)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

REPORTS OF AREA COMMITTEES - FOR NOTING

a) Rathfarnham/Templeogue/Firhouse/Bohernabreena Area Committee

Dealing with Public Realm, Water & Drainage, Housing, Community, Planning, Economic Development, Libraries & Arts, Corporate Support, Performance & Change Management

b) Clondalkin Area Committee

Dealing with Public Realm, Water & Drainage, Housing, Community, Planning, Economic Development, Libraries & Arts, Corporate Support, Performance & Change Management

c) Tallaght Area Committee

Dealing with Public Realm, Water & Drainage, Housing, Community, Planning, Economic Development, Libraries & Arts, Corporate Support, Performance & Change Management

d) Lucan/Palmerstown/North Clondalkin Area Committee

Dealing with Public Realm, Water & Drainage, Housing, Community, Planning, Economic Development, Libraries & Arts, Corporate Support, Performance & Change Management

H-I (3)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

STANDING COMMITTEES ORGANISATION, PROCEDURE & FINANCE - FOR APPROVAL

H-I (4)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Economic, Enterprise & Tourism Development , Director of Environment, Water & Climate Change , Director of Land Use, Planning & Transportation, Director of Housing, Social & Community Development
H-I (5)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

REPORTS REQUESTED BY AREA COMMITTEES - FOR NOTING

Questions

Qu (1)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Adelaide
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive to provide a report following question Item ID: 85622. Report to include details of inspections on privately rented homes in 2023 and 2024 including dwellings inspected not meeting regulatory requirements upon first inspection; dwellings inspected not meeting regulatory requirements upon subsequent inspections (separate column for 2nd inspections)

Qu (2)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Adelaide
Responsibility:
Director of Finance

To ask the Chief Executive to provide a report on the Annual Rate of Valuation used to calculate commercial rates for each year between 2006-2025 inclusive.

Qu (3)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Adelaide
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive to provide a report on maintenance requests received in 2024 with a breakdown including the total number of requests received, the total number of those requests completed (please only include maintenance requests that were requested in 2024, not in previous years), the average time to complete from when the request was initially raised, and the number completed by contractors (as opposed to direct labour).

Qu (4)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. Brady
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive for a report on the Local Community Safety Partnership, detailing the current status of its establishment including a timeline as to when we may expect the partnerships to start its work.

Qu (5)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. Brady
Responsibility:
Director of Land Use, Planning & Transportation

To ask the Chief Executive to report on the number of outstanding footpath repair requests recorded by the Council, in tabular format analysed by electoral area by year.

Qu (6)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. Brady
Responsibility:
Director of Land Use, Planning & Transportation

To ask the Chief Executive to report on the actual spend on footpath repairs for the last four years 2020 to 2024, analysed by local electoral area, including budget allocated to each electoral area for 2025.

Qu (7)
Submitted by:
Councillor L. de Courcy
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive what security measures will be put in place for the St Patrick's Day parades this year within South Dublin?

Qu (8)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Donnelly
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive what is the current procedure to deem a house/apartment A Rated (BER) in new current buildings? 

Qu (9)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Donnelly
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive what must be in place in an older dwelling to bring the house up to an A rating (BER)?

Qu (10)
Submitted by:
Councillor H. Farrell
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive what number of Age Friendly homes in council stock have been built in the County, broken down by area?

Qu (11)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Fennell
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive how many 'Age-Friendly & Rightsizing' units (broken down by LEA and in tabular form) does this council have in total in its ownership?

Qu (12)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Fennell
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive the current units (broken down by LEA and in tabular form) that are awaiting retro fitting and an approximate time frame for completion?

Qu (13)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Fennell
Responsibility:
Director of Economic, Enterprise & Tourism Development

To ask the Chief Executive for a report on the process for which small businesses can rent or buy premises from the council, report to include a list, broken down by LEA, of all premises for commercial use currently in Council stock.

Qu (14)
Submitted by:
Councillor P. Holohan
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive what is the current approximate wait on social housing?

Qu (15)
Submitted by:
Councillor P. Holohan
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive what is the lowest amount years served on the list in which someone has received a social home?

Qu (16)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. McManus
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive to confirm the number of new-build social homes across South Dublin County Council in 2024 and if an indicative number is available for 2025, and if a statement is available for the elected members?

Qu (17)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. McManus
Responsibility:
Director of Finance

To ask the Chief Executive the revenue foregone from South Dublin County Council for public services of a -15% discount in Local Property Tax, -10% and -5% for 2026?

Qu (18)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. McManus
Responsibility:
Director of Finance

To ask the Chief Executive the financial impact from ending the commercial rates vacancy discount between South Dublin County Council’s  Budget 2024 and Budget 2025?

Qu (19)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Ó Broin
Responsibility:
Director of Environment, Water & Climate Change

To ask the Chief Executive if snowdrop (Galanthus) spring flowers are planted around the county in the same way as daffodils are?

Qu (20)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Ó Broin
Responsibility:
Director of Environment, Water & Climate Change

To ask the Chief Executive if any measures are undertaken to enhance habitat for kingfishers and otters along the banks of the rivers of the county?

Qu (21)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Ó Broin
Responsibility:
Director of Environment, Water & Climate Change

To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the deployment of street-sweeping Green Machines in the villages of the county?

Qu (22)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Sinnott
Responsibility:
Director of Environment, Water & Climate Change

To ask the Chief Executive to outline the approximate time it takes to deal with and remove graffiti from the public realm after it has been reported?

Qu (23)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Sinnott
Responsibility:
Director of Environment, Water & Climate Change

To ask the Chief Executive to outline how many graffiti removals were undertaken in 2024?

Qu (24)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Sinnott
Responsibility:
Director of Environment, Water & Climate Change

To ask the Chief Executive to outline the total spend on graffiti removal by South Dublin County Council in 2024.

Qu (25)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Sinnott
Responsibility:
Director of Land Use, Planning & Transportation

To ask the Chief Executive what steps can South Dublin County Council take to ensure there is no duplication of place/estate names in new developments for example the overuse of the place name "The Park" being used in multiple developments adjacent to each other.

Qu (26)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Spear
Responsibility:
Director of Environment, Water & Climate Change

Can the Chief Executive please give an update on the progress of initiating Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) for the properties listed on the derelict sites registry? Please include the date(s) property owners were contacted, any response we've received, and how  the Council plans to proceed with the CPO.

Qu (27)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Spear
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

Can the Chief Executive please report on whether South Dublin County Council has considered (or would consider) offering re-mortgages for the 548 families/persons who have mortgages with the Council?

Qu (28)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Spear
Responsibility:
Director of Finance

Can the Chief Executive please report on the responsibility of the Council to pay for repairs from Council trees damaging private property during Storm Eowyn?

Qu (29)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Director of Land Use, Planning & Transportation

To ask the Chief Executive for a detailed outline of how to apply for a Tree Preservation Order for trees and hedgerows in South Dublin County Council that outlines criteria, steps, how and which Section to apply to?

Qu (30)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive for a report into the average waiting time for a 1,2,3 or 4 bed home in South Dublin County Council?

Qu (31)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive would he consider that South Dublin County Council develop an educational awareness program together with local drug task forces and schools in our county to highlight the risk to children's health by repeated inhalation of nitrous oxide?

Qu (32)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Director of Environment, Water & Climate Change

To ask the Chief Executive who owns and is responsible for the small green space outside your home? (Green areas between road and footpath)

Qu (33)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Director of Land Use, Planning & Transportation

To ask the Chief Executive for a report on safety parking plans for all local estates within the administrative area of South Dublin County Council.  Report to include how estates can request parking surveys and to recommend parking safety measures.

Qu (34)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Whelan
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive to outline the current processing times of the vacant property refurbishment grant?

Qu (35)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Whelan
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive how many vacant property grants have been applied for and awarded since January 2024?

Qu (36)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Whelan
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive to outline the current processing times of the derelict property top up grant?

Qu (37)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Whelan
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive how many derelict property top-up grants have been applied for and awarded since January 2024?

Qu (38)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Whelan
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

To ask the Chief Executive if there is any training provided for council staff who may, in the duty of their work, encounter potential situations where tenants of SDCC may be in danger at the hands of another family member or tenant in the home?

Headed Items

H-I (6)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Land Use, Planning & Transportation

DECLARATION OF ROADS TO BE MADE PUBLIC ROAD

H-I (7)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Economic, Enterprise & Tourism Development

PROPOSED DISPOSAL OF PROPERTIES/SITES - FOR APPROVAL

(a) Proposed disposal of lands to Jordan Group, T/A Centra, at Castletymon Shopping Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24

(b) Section 183 Tallaght Martial Arts

 

LD 1525      Proposed disposal of lands to Jordan Group, T/A Centra, at Castletymon Shopping Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24


Disposal of Unit North Stand - Tallaght Stadium S.183 Tallaght Martial Arts

H-I (8)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Chief Executive
H-I (9)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

NOMINATION OF A NEW CHAIR FOR THE LAND USE, PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION SPC - FOR APPROVAL

H-I (10)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

AUDIT COMMITTEE - FOR APPROVAL

(a) Annual Report of the Audit Committee 2024

(b) Audit Committee Charter

(c) Annual Work Programme

H-I (11)
Submitted by:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management
Responsibility:
Director of Environment, Water & Climate Change

PART 8 FOR ENTRANCE AND ROUTE UPGRADE AT LUCAN DEMESNE – FOR APPROVAL

H-I (12)
Submitted by:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management
Responsibility:
Director of Environment, Water & Climate Change
H-I (13)
Submitted by:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management
Responsibility:
Director of Economic, Enterprise & Tourism Development

OUTDOOR ADVERTISING STRATEGY – FOR NOTING

H-I (14)
Submitted by:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

Correspondence

Cor (1)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

REPLIES, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE

Replies

(a) (i) Reply from Minister of Housing in relation to Motion 6 November 2024 Council Meeting

Acknowledgements

Correspondence

(b) Correspondence received from Roscommon County Council in relation to forestry owners and power lines.

(c) Correspondence received from Roscommon County Council in relation to landowners and fallen trees.

(d) Correspondence received from Roscommon County Council in relation to government emergency phone access.

(e) Correspondence received from Roscommon County Council in relation to examination support for Second Level students with additional learning needs.

(f) Correspondence received from Sligo County Council in relation to VAT rates.

(g) Correspondence received from Sligo County Council in relation to future Carbon Taxes.

(h) Correspondence received from Sligo County Council in relation to the Tenant in Situ scheme.

(i) Correspondence received from Sligo County Council in relation to an eviction ban.

(j) Correspondence received from Sligo County Council in relation to the dangers of vaping.

Motions

Mot (1)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Whelan
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

This Council calls on the new Housing Minister to re-evaluate the Cost Rental Scheme to make it affordable for the people it is intended to reach.

Mot (2)
Submitted by:
Councillor P. Holohan
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

This Council calls upon the Minister for Housing to remove the need for a notice to quit to be issued to a tenant before a landlord can enter the Tenant in situ scheme.

Mot (3)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Sinnott
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

This Council calls on the Minister for Justice for a review of the existing management company legislation, under the Multi Unit Development Act in place since 2011, to ensure that it is fit for purpose and that it acts in the best interests of residents.

Mot (4)
Submitted by:
Councillor L. Dunne
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

This Council resolves to adopt a rights-based Ethical Procurement Policy (EPP) that takes fully into account existing obligations and standards. The EPP will incorporate widely accepted and precisely formulated international standards and explain clearly how the policy will be implemented. The primary aim of the EPP is to ensure that human rights obligations are properly acknowledged, observed and respected at all stages of the procurement process.

Mot (5)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Johansson
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

That this Council agrees to write to the Minister for Health to express the Council's full support for Section 39 organisations and staff, including support for any industrial action workers decide to take, and call on the Minister to restore full pay parity to these workers.

Mot (6)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Adelaide
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

That this Council writes to the Taoiseach and the President of the INMO, endorsing the INMO nurses and Midwives who have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action in response to unsafe staffing levels

Mot (7)
Submitted by:
Councillor L. de Courcy
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

That this committee asks South Dublin County Council to change its policy when awarding building contracts to include investigations into past contract infringements, or actions beyond the scope of the contract, and weigh these up when awarding new contracts.

Mot (8)
Submitted by:
Councillor W. Carey
Responsibility:
Director of Environment, Water & Climate Change

That this Council agrees that South Dublin County Council shall develop a policy for dealing with intrusive behaviour of foxes and other wildlife.

Mot (9)
Submitted by:
Councillor K. Keane
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

This Council agrees to implement a system of allocating units from the current housing stock to victims of domestic violence leaving short term refuges, ensuring they do not end up in emergency accommodation.

Mot (10)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Ó Broin
Responsibility:
Director of Environment, Water & Climate Change

This Council agrees to create a programme for the installation of small playgrounds in housing estates that want them.

Mot (11)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Spear
Responsibility:
Director of Housing, Social & Community Development

This Council agrees that those in rented accommodation can apply for Homeless Housing Assistance Payment immediately after a valid notice to quit is issued.

Mot (12)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Fennell
Responsibility:
Director of Environment, Water & Climate Change

This Council agrees to have accessible, user-friendly exercise machines, not just calisthenics, in all our county parks, to ensure inclusive and diverse ways of exercise for all people within our county.

Mot (13)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. Brady
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

That this Council calls on the Minister for Finance to enhance the detection and enforcement capacity of the Revenue Commissioners to tackle the surge in smuggling and black market sales of medicines, tobacco products, and other goods; and to protect both legitimate local retailers and public revenue.

Mot (14)
Submitted by:
Councillor H. Farrell
Responsibility:
Director of Land Use, Planning & Transportation

To call on the Chief Executive to conduct a comprehensive review and report on the visibility of pedestrians at Belisha beacon-free pedestrian crossings throughout the county. The review should specifically measure pedestrian visibility at a distance of 36 metres (the stopping distance for a car travelling at 50 km/h in wet conditions) during nighttime conditions. The findings should provide clear recommendations for any necessary improvements to enhance pedestrian safety at each location along with an expected timeline for implementation of any necessary improvements, with the most critical improvements flagged.

Mot (15)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Director of Corporate Performance & Change Management

That this council agrees to meet with Family Carers Ireland to explore and look at how and if South Dublin County Council can advance the needs of Disabled Persons.