COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF JOINT POLICING COMMITTEE

Friday, November 21, 2008

QUESTION NO.

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor, TD

To ask the Manager to outline efforts being made to ensure the safety of people using the Council's Parks throughout the Tallaght region and will he make a statement.

REPLY:

In order to support the provision of safe public parks and regulate behaviour , the Council has adopted a system of Bye-Laws which are enforced primarily by staff of the Parks and Landscape Services Department  supported by local Gardaí.  In the Tallaght area, as in other parts of the county, there is regular and ongoing liaison with local Gardaí who provide positive support and assistance to Council staff through regular park and open space patrols undertaken by Community Gardaí and the Garda Mountain Bike Unit. The Gardaí also assist with situations where members of the public ignore requests from  staff to obey the Bye Laws, in particular, where the activity is considered hazardous to other park users.  

The Bye-Laws detailed below are published and available for inspection and download from the Parks Department pages of the South Dublin County Council web-site:

View the the full list of Bye-laws. (Parks General Bye-Laws)

Bye Laws for Prohibiting the consumption of Intoxicating Liquor in public places within the county of South Dublin came into force with effect from the 9th August 2001 by virtue of Section 37 (1) of the Local Government Act 1994 Part VII.

View the Bye-laws  (Intox Liquor)

The provision and continued expansion of the range of amenities inter alia playgrounds, sports pitches, Slí na Sláinte walking routes, ornamental lakes, and the holding of events such as National Tree Week, Eco Week, Family Days, Circuses and Funfairs, novelty train rides and various other events held throughout the year attract large numbers of visitors into public parks which, in turn, provides an atmosphere of safety for users.

CCTV systems have been introduced, in particular, in relation to playgrounds . The introduction of these systems and the provision of selective lighting act as deterrents to potential perpetrators of anti-social behaviour. 

 In association with the Environmental Services Department the Parks Department has an active horse roundup system for dealing with horses found in public parks and open spaces in the county.

 Entrances to public parks are being progressively upgraded to prevent unauthorised access by motor vehicles, in particular, motorbikes, scooters, quads and scramblers. The Gardaí have also been active in this area, mounting operations to combat this menace and seizing considerable numbers of unlicensed vehicles.