Council Meetings

Agenda - July 2025 County Council Meeting

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Date:
14/07/2025 15:30
Location:
Council Chamber
Standing Orders:

Headed Items

H-I (1)
Submitted by:
Community Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Community

CONFIRMATION AND REAFFIRMATION OF MINUTES - FOR APPROVAL

(a) June 2025 Council Meeting

(b) June 2025 Special Meeting of County Council Meeting 

(c) June 2025 Annual Meeting

H-I (2)
Submitted by:
Community Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Community

REPORTS OF AREA COMMITTEES

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

(NO BUSINESS)

b) Clondalkin, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas Area Committee 

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

(NO BUSINESS)

c) Tallaght Area Committee

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

(NO BUSINESS)

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

(NO BUSINESS)

H-I (3)
Submitted by:
Community Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Community

STANDING COMMITTEES ORGANISATION, PROCEDURE & FINANCE

(NO BUSINESS)

H-I (4)
Submitted by:
Community Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Climate Action

STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES

(NO BUSINESS)

H-I (5)
Submitted by:
Community Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Community

REPORTS REQUESTED BY AREA COMMITTEES

(NO BUSINESS)

Questions

Qu (1)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. Brady
Responsibility:
Director of Climate Action

To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the review of the 'Living with Trees' policy, and to confirm whether a non-statutory public consultation will take place as part of this review, including the expected timeline for same.

Qu (2)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. Brady
Responsibility:
Director of Climate Action

To ask the Chief Executive to provide a detailed report of the current casual trading landscape in South Dublin County over the past 5 years.

Qu (3)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. Brady
Responsibility:
Director of Planning and Transport

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 (4)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. Brady
Responsibility:
Director of Planning and Transport

To ask the Chief Executive to report on the budget allocated to footpath repairs analysed by electoral area by year for the last five years.

Qu (5)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. Brady
Responsibility:
Director of Planning and Transport

To ask the Chief Executive for a report on the status of housing estates that have not yet been taken in charge. Report to include, for each estate, the current status of the taking in charge process including an estimated timeframe for when the process is expected to commence and conclude.

Qu (6)
Submitted by:
Councillor Y. Collins
Responsibility:
Director of Housing

To ask the Chief Executive to set out measures in place, and proposed, to address the housing crisis.

Qu (7)
Submitted by:
Councillor Y. Collins
Responsibility:
Director of Housing

To ask the Chief Executive to set out measures in place, and proposed, to assist in the establishment of a new Housing Activation Office intended to accelerate infrastructure and housing delivery.

Qu (8)
Submitted by:
Councillor L. de Courcy
Responsibility:
Director of Economic Development

To ask the Chief Executive, whether South Dublin County Council’s hiring policy aligns with the Corporate Plan regarding race, where 'race (encompassing race, colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins)'  is an identified group under the Equality and Human Rights Duty - clarify whether there are any quotas or preferential treatment for non-nationals over nationals in recruitment—particularly when candidates have equal or differing levels of qualifications and experience

Qu (9)
Submitted by:
Councillor L. de Courcy
Responsibility:
Director of Community

To ask the Chief Executive to provide a list of all grants available from the Council for Residents Associations to improve their estate/area.

Qu (10)
Submitted by:
Councillor L. de Courcy
Responsibility:
Director of Planning and Transport

To ask the Chief Executive if there are plans to review all current IPA Section 5 Exemptions granted within South Dublin to ensure all is in order, in light of recent events in Tipperary County Council.  

Qu (11)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Donnelly
Responsibility:
Director of Housing

To ask the Chief Executive what is the current percentage of new builds considered for SDCC social housing?

Qu (12)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Donnelly
Responsibility:
Director of Housing

To ask the Chief Executive does the council get to purchase new builds for social housing at current value or does the council have to bid on new properties?

Qu (13)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Donnelly
Responsibility:
Director of Economic Development

To ask the Chief Executive what is the current number of tradesmen employed by South Dublin County Council?

Qu (14)
Submitted by:
Councillor H. Farrell
Responsibility:
Director of Community

To ask the Chief Executive for a report on the implementation of a Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) in any part of SDCC. Report to include an update on progress and plans for wider rollout, in the near future?

Qu (15)
Submitted by:
Councillor H. Farrell
Responsibility:
Director of Planning and Transport

To ask the Chief Executive for a report on Protected Trees. The report should include the current number of Protected Trees within the County, to outline the process for the public or public representatives to nominate new trees for protection, with a particular focus on native heritage trees that are several hundred years old and located on private land.

Qu (16)
Submitted by:
Councillor H. Farrell
Responsibility:
Director of Planning and Transport

To ask the Chief Executive for a report on 'wide vehicles' within the County. The report should include the current dimensions that define a 'wide vehicle', how these dimensions are determined, and if there are any known plans by Government to update them in response to the increasing width of most road vehicles year on year.

Qu (17)
Submitted by:
Councillor H. Farrell
Responsibility:
Director of Community

To ask the Chief Executive when the last accessibility audits were carried out for local population centres across the County, and to list the dates and area reports where known?

Qu (18)
Submitted by:
Councillor H. Farrell
Responsibility:
Director of Planning and Transport

To ask the Chief Executive for a brief progress report on all heritage projects currently underway in the County.

Qu (19)
Submitted by:
Councillor H. Farrell
Responsibility:
Director of Planning and Transport

To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the road safety audits of beacon free pedestrian crossings that management committed to carrying out in response to my previous motion in March 2025.

Qu (20)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Fennell
Responsibility:
Director of Housing

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

Qu (21)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Fennell
Responsibility:
Director of Climate Action

To ask the Chief Executive what parks in the county are being considering for upgrades, including an expected timeframe and broken down by LEA.

Qu (22)
Submitted by:
Councillor P. Holohan
Responsibility:
Director of Housing

To ask the Chief Executive what will happen to the Tenant in Situ scheme when the budget allocated in 2025 runs out?

Qu (23)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Johansson
Responsibility:
Director of Housing

To ask the Chief Executive what is the current official timeframe for processing social housing applications once a completed application has been submitted?

Qu (24)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Johansson
Responsibility:
Director of Housing

To ask the Chief Executive how many households have registered as homeless following a Notice of Termination of tenancy in 2025?

Qu (25)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Ó Broin
Responsibility:
Director of Climate Action

To ask the Chief Executive to list in tabular format by village the number of Green Machine street cleaning devices in service across the county.

Qu (26)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Ó Broin
Responsibility:
Director of Community

To ask the Chief Executive when the Mobile Library Wheelchair Lifts, that are currently out of order, will be repaired?

Qu (27)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Ó Broin
Responsibility:
Director of Planning and Transport

To ask the Chief Executive for a report into the 'Bus Stop Enhancement Programme' which the NTA provided funding to South Dublin County Council for in 2024. Report to include a list of locations for each LEA.

Qu (28)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Sinnott
Responsibility:
Director of Planning and Transport

To ask the Chief Executive to advise whether traffic volume and potential increase in traffic volume are taken into consideration when decisions on planning are made?

Qu (29)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Sinnott
Responsibility:
Director of Planning and Transport

To ask the Chief Executive for a report on planning approval for large scale residential developments. The report to include how the need for community infrastructure such as schools, recreation and transport is considered and does planning for this happen in tandem with approval for residential developments

Qu (30)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Sinnott
Responsibility:
Director of Planning and Transport

To ask the Chief Executive for a report on applications for retrospective planning permission. The report to detail the criteria for applicants and whether there is a different set of criteria for single applicants versus developers?

Qu (31)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Sinnott
Responsibility:
Director of Climate Action

To ask the Chief Executive what bye-laws are in place for the effective management of clothes recycling banks?

Qu (32)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Sinnott
Responsibility:
Director of Finance

To ask the Chief Executive to provide a breakdown of commercial rate income by electoral ward for 2024

Qu (33)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Sinnott
Responsibility:
Director of Finance

To ask the Chief Executive if it is possible to provide a breakdown of commercial rate income by income bands in 2024?

Qu (34)
Submitted by:
Councillor A. Smyth
Responsibility:
Director of Housing

To ask the Chief Executive for a report on how many people have refused housing offers in 2025 to date? Report to include a break down on the reasons given for the refusal.

Qu (35)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Spear
Responsibility:
Director of Climate Action

Can the Chief Executive please give an update on the sports pavilions? Please include when works will commence for each one and expected delivery dates.

Qu (36)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Director of Community

To ask the Chief Executive to comment on the intended protocol for presidential hopefuls who look to SDCC for a nomination and ensure that that the protocol does not allow the promotion of hate towards refugees / asylum seekers or members of the LGBTQ+ community or any other community?

Qu (37)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Director of Community

To ask the Chief Executive is there an initiative that would help combat anti-social behaviour and to engage with teenagers in particular.

Qu (38)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
County Architect

To ask the Chief Executive to issue a breakdown report into any cost incurred in over runs on Council Capital projects for the last 12 months?

Qu (39)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Director of Community

To ask the Chief Executive would he consider a more scaled back community endeavour awards much more like the mayor awards and give a breakdown for the cost of the last community endeavour awards ?

Qu (40)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Director of Housing

To ask the Chief Executive would he issue a report into the cost of building a one, two, three and four bed home in SDCC and the alternative cost of buying same on the open market to ensure value for money for the taxpayer ?

Qu (41)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Whelan
Responsibility:
Director of Housing

To ask the Chief Executive to please provide a report of how many Tenant In Situ sales have not progressed due to the new rules implemented by the Minister earlier this year.

Headed Items

H-I (6)
Submitted by:
Community Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Planning and Transport

DECLARATION OF ROADS TO BE MADE PUBLIC ROADS

(NO BUSINESS)

H-I (7)
Submitted by:
Community Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Economic Development

PROPOSED DISPOSAL OF PROPERTIES/SITES

(NO BUSINESS)

H-I (8)
Submitted by:
Community Directorate
Responsibility:
Chief Executive

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT & CAPITAL PROJECTS PROGRESS REPORT - FOR NOTING

(a) Chief Executive's Report

(b) Statistics Report

(c) Finance Report

(d) Capital Projects Progress Report

H-I (9)
Submitted by:
Community Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Community

NOMINATION OF A NEW CHAIR FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC REALM AND CLIMATE CHANGE SPC - FOR APPROVAL

H-I (10)
Submitted by:
Community Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Planning and Transport

DRAFT DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTION SCHEME – COMMENCE CONSULTATION  - FOR APPROVAL

H-I (11)
Submitted by:
Community Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Finance
H-I (12)
Submitted by:
Community Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Economic Development

RATHFARNHAM STABLES AND COURTYARDS (PART 8) - FOR APPROVAL

H-I (13)
Submitted by:
Community Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Housing
H-I (14)
Submitted by:
Director of Housing, Social and Community Development
Responsibility:
Director of Community

Correspondence

Cor (1)
Submitted by:
Community Directorate
Responsibility:
Director of Community

REPLIES, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE

Replies

(a) Reply from Barry Andrews MEP in relation to Motion M3/0625

Acknowledgements

(NO BUSINESS) 

Correspondence

(b) Carlow County Council Motion relating to the Occupied Territories Bill

(c) Carlow County Council Motion relating to Paediatric Coeliac Screening

(d) Carlow County Council Motion relating to the Tenant in Situ Scheme

(e) Donegal County Council Motion relating to Israel Bonds

(f) Donegal County Council Motion relating to the Triple Lock

(g) Limerick City & County Council Motion relating to the Tenant Purchase Scheme

(h) Limerick City & County Council Motion relating to Smartphone Use

(i) Galway County Council Motion relating to Affordable Housing

(j) Correspondence from Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

Motions

Mot (1)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Fennell
Responsibility:
Director of Climate Action

That this Council agrees to a policy whereby stronger, more mature trees saplings are planted in place (and as opposed to not replanting), where trees have previously been vandalised or are considered to be more vulnerable to anti-social destructive episodes. 

Mot (2)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Director of Climate Action

That this Council request SDCC to investigate and consider running a tidy estate competition within the County

Mot (3)
Submitted by:
Councillor Joanna Tuffy
Responsibility:
Director of Economic Development

That the CEO investigate the feasibility of liaising with the Dublin City Council EU Programme Support Office which operates as part of its economic development remit and would investigate the feasibility of something similar  in South Dublin County Council to identify and manage EU funding opportunities for South Dublin County and to work across departments within the council to build awareness of EU funding

Mot (4)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Spear
Responsibility:
Director of Community

That this Council resolves to write to the Minister for Climate and the Environment requesting a national moratorium on further data centre expansion.

Mot (5)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Whelan
Responsibility:
Director of Community

This Council writes to Government to expresses its dismay and reject government's plans to abolish or amend the Triple Lock, considering the proposal signifies a breach of trust with the Irish electorate and a serious diminution of Irish neutrality.

Mot (6)
Submitted by:
Councillor R. McMahon
Responsibility:
Director of Community

That this Council requests the LGFA (Ladies Gaelic Football Association) review its policy on transgender participation, to ensure fairness and safety for all its players.

Mot (7)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Johansson
Responsibility:
Director of Community

This Council agrees to write to the Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris expressing its dismay at and opposition to the government's intention to abolish the Triple Lock, which governs the deployment of its Defence Forces personnel overseas, considering that the proposal signifies a breach of trust with the electorate and a serious diminution of Ireland's neutrality.

Mot (8)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Duff
Responsibility:
Director of Community

That this Council calls the Irish Business Against Litter League and their agent, An Taisce, to refrain from including small Social Housing areas in their Annual Report, when considering the overall Littering report on the general area and should only consider Commercial and open Public Realm areas in their report.

Mot (9)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. Brady
Responsibility:
Director of Climate Action

That this Council calls on the Chief Executive to ensure that the review of the 'Living with Trees' policy includes a framework for addressing the impact of tree root systems on public infrastructure, particularly footpaths, identifying and prioritising locations where damage has occurred – setting out criteria for the phased removal and replacement of trees with species more appropriate for urban settings.

Mot (10)
Submitted by:
Councillor A. Smyth
Responsibility:
Director of Climate Action

This council calls on the Chief Executive to amend the policy on the issuing of long term pitch leases for clubs who have been in existence for over 20 years to include a clause for the council to remove the lease if the club ceases to operate.

Mot (11)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Ó Broin
Responsibility:
Director of Community

That this council calls on the Irish Central Bank to cease facilitating the sale of Israeli Government Bonds in the EU.

Mot (12)
Submitted by:
Councillor K. Keane
Responsibility:
Director of Community

That this council calls on the Minister for Housing to allow local authorities the same discretion to agree to increase HAP and Homeless HAP payments for tenants to stay in their existing (pre-2022) accommodation, rather than face eviction from their rental property.