COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 12, 2007

QUESTION No. 5

QUESTION: Councillor D. Keating

To ask the Manager to report on the attention given to our parks and open spaces, including litter control, installation of litter bins and regular cleaning in view of the increased anti-social behaviour including alcohol and drug abuse in our communities? 

REPLY:

Litter collection is an integral part of the maintenance operations undertaken by Parks staff.  The staff collect litter as part of their normal parks operations and given the need to undertake the many other maintenance tasks  such as grass cutting, tree planting, pruning etc., it is estimated that each area is visited on a very regular basis and at a minimum at least once every two weeks.  In certain areas, however, this task is more onerous because the volume and frequency of dumping varies from one location to another.    

 

In the Lucan, Palmerstown and North Clondalkin area , on average, four 20 cubic metre skips of litter are collected per month.  

With regard to litter bins in parks, experience has shown that they are only used by members of the public who are litter conscious and who would normally bring their litter home with them. People who are not litter conscious do not use the litter bins provided. For these reasons litter bins are provided in areas adjacent to shops and playgrounds and other areas where people congregate for special events, e.g. Family Days etc.    

Furthermore, the Council’s Bye-Laws 1994, Section 5.1 provide that no person shall dump or dispose of any bottle, glass, china, can, container, litter or other refuse in a park except in receptacles provided for that purpose. 

Bring Banks are now regularly provided in Park locations.  

Also, the Councils Bye-Laws 2001 prohibiting the consumption of Intoxicating Liquor in Public Places are enforced by Council Staff and Gardai, resulting in prosecutions on a regular basis throughout the County.  

If the Councillor has any particular park in mind which needs attention re litter problems he should bring the location to the attention of the Parks Department and the matter will receive attention.