COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, April 21, 2008

QUESTION NO.1

QUESTION: Councillor M. Corr

"To ask the Manager to report on the difficulties surrounding the persistent dumping at most halting sites/group housing schemes in the Tallaght area, to indicate how this will be overcome in a sustainable way going forward and will he guarantee an adequate level of management at all problematic schemes going forward - if this is not possible to ask the Manager to provide a headed item at each forthcoming area committee until the situations that have arisen and are tolerated to a large degree are resolved?"

REPLY:

The Housing Department has a policy of dealing with anti-social behaviour and specifically with dumping around Traveller sites and Group housing schemes in the county.  In the case of dumping, letters are sent to residents on a regular basis, informing them of their responsibilities under their tenancy agreements. The Caretakers speak to residents on the Residential Caravan Parks in relation to any dumping issues and endeavour to keep sites clean and also provide regular cleanups with skips etc. A comprehensive audit has been carried out on the refuse collection services provided to the various residential sites and a review of refuse collection and recycling options are being considered by the Unit. We are preparing to provide bottle banks and Recycle Bins on a pilot basis on some sites that are currently on collection routes serviced by private contractors and to involve tenants in recyling appropriate matter.

Reports of dumping are forwarded to the Litter Warden Service for investigation, and if there is any information available from residents locally of anyone who is dumping illegally, this is also reported directly to the Litter Warden who deals with the matter and follow up with prosecutions if necessary.

At the present time CCTV cameras have been installed around many of the sites and Group housing schemes and these are monitored on a regular basis. The use of these cameras, allied to a pro active approach to the issue of dumping in and around our residential caravan parks, is hoped to address the issue and will be one of the main focuses of the Management and Maintenance staff of the Traveller Unit and the caretakers in the coming year. 

The Council will also be employing Tenancy Sustainment workers, who will be engaged in dealing with specific families who have come to the attention on the Unit in relation to issues regarding their tenancies. Among the issues identified for attention by the Tenancy Sustainment Workers will be to ensure that families adhere to the requirements of their tenancy / licence agreements including the proper disposal of any domestic refuse.

The matter will be reviewed on an ongoing basis by the Management and Maintenance section of the Unit.