COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TERENURE/RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE (2)

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

QUESTION NO. 15

QUESTION: Councillor E. Walsh

"To ask the Manager for clarification on the special offer regarding collection of bins by an outside company as many residents are confused and want to know what will happen if they don't accept the offer?"

REPLY:

The Members will know that a number of Private Waste Collectors are at present entering the market in the county. Part of their strategy to win Customers from the Council’s Serviceis to make special offers for a limited time (eg free for first three months, save €€€s etc)

Householders are under no obligation to take up these offers as the Council’s Service, on which they have relied and that has served them well over many years, will continue to be the best service in the county into the future.

Householders should note that the Council has provided a Refuse Service as part of it’s services to the community for many years. In continuing to serve the people, the Council intends to continue to do provide and improve the service available. Indeed the Council is delighted that so few of our Customers have moved and look forward to a continuing relationship with those Customers that are loyal to their local Council.

Customers of the Council’s Refuse Service should note that the special offers being made are part of a marketing campaign designed to win a market share for the Private Contractors. While the offers appearattractive, householders should thoroughly investigate a comparison of the services being offered.

Some of the material being circulated is causing confusion amongst householders so any person that needs any advice or informationis encoueraged tocontact the Council directly for clarification or view the Frequently Asked Q&A on the Council's website. The Council will being making contact directly with Householders shortly.

For example –

• The Council service offers a weekly Grey Bin Collection Service where required

• The Council service offers a fortnightly Green Bin Collection

• The Council’s €8 per tag charge means that the Householder is in full control of the cost to them. Private Collectors often charge a flat fee coupled with a per lift charge that householders may not realise to be the case.

• The use of tags means no bills coming through your door

• Only the Council service offers waivers to those that cannot afford to pay.

• The Council offers a comprehensive service with a network of Bring Banks, Civic Amenity sites etc that assist householders to recycle more and therefore reduce the number of times they need to put out their Grey Bin thereby reducing the cost to them further.

• Householders should also note that the Council’s charging system means that the more they recycle, the fewer times they need to put out their grey bin and the cheaper our Service gets. This is not necessarily the case with the Private Collectors.