COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF JOINT POLICING COMMITTEE

Friday, September 12, 2008

QUESTION NO.

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor, TD

To ask for a report on actions proposed to deal with the scourge of Graffiti in the Tallaght region. Noting the clear need to deal with the issue, which is a source of huge upset to local residents.

REPLY:

The Council’s Graffiti programme incorporates the existing resources provided by the Council's Anti-Graffiti Team and Litter Wardens, together with streamlined administrative structures in dealing with reported graffiti.  In addition, information about graffiti prevention and awareness forms part of the Council's Environmental Awareness role with both community groups and schools.

Graffiti should be reported either to Customer Care or directly to the Litter Warden service.  When graffiti complaints are received, a Litter Warden will inspect the location in the first instance and will do one of the following as appropriate;

·         Refer the location directly to the Council’s Anti-Graffiti Team for action

·         List the location for referral to a specialised contractor for treatment;

·         or, assist local groups by providing materials for them to remove the graffiti; or,  advise the owner/occupier of the property of their obligations under Section 19 of the Litter Pollution Act, 1997.

The Council’s Environmental Awareness team and RAPID co-ordinators also provide support for community applications under Pobal’s Community Graffiti Reduction Programme which aims to support an immediate reduction in the extent and impact of graffiti within the communities who participate in the programme and to develop local mechanisms within these communities to support the long-term reduction of incidences of graffiti.  This programme is sponsored by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The Council is also preparing a campaign on foot of the adoption of the Litter Management Plan highlighting the role everyone places in keeping the county clean.  Graffiti prevention will be one of the themes of this campaign.