COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE 1

Monday, October 15, 2007

QUESTION NO.2

QUESTION: Councillor M. Corr

"To ask the Manager to report on the environmental issues that have arisen over time at St Aidan's Halting site and to state what is currently being done to address these issues and when the Manager envisages that this problem will be resolved?"

REPLY:

Certain industrial relations issues have prevented the regular collection of refuse from the St. Aidens site, by South Dublin County Council operatives. An arrangement is in place to provide a skip once a week to the site for removal of domestic refuse. This situation has not altogether proven effective and in spite of the on-site caretaker monitoring the skip as it is being filled, a situation arose previously where the skip was set alight while awaiting collection. The Traveller Accommodation Unit are awaiting the outcome of discussions between Environmental Services Management and Unions, to get the site, once again, included on the regular refuse collection route. The reinstatement of this collection should help to alleviate the problems. The surrounding area of the site has been cleaned a number of times and the Traveller accommodation Unit are monitoring the site and will review the need for further work if necessary.

There have been incidents of domestic refuse dumped on the open space to the front of the site, and in some cases fires have been set to dispose of this refuse. All of the families on the site have been formally notified that the dumping of domestic refuse is unacceptable, and warning letters will issue to any residents caught dumping, as well as the Council taking action under the Litter Acts. To date one resident has been formally warned and notice of a fine under the litter act is to be served.