COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 14, 2009

QUESTION NO.14

QUESTION: Councillor D. Keating

To ask that the Manager would report in detail on the lack of regular maintenance to this county's cemeteries. The lack of regular maintenance is the source of great upset and embarrassment to many residents, particular those visiting the graves of their loved ones on weekends, anniversaries, birthdays etc. In addition many residents visiting cemeteries in South Dublin for funerals have remarked how unsightly our cemeteries are. Will the Manager also report in detail as to what measures will be taken to remedy this very serious and sensitive matter?

REPLY:

South Dublin County Council strives to maintain 15 burial grounds to a high standard however a more limited resource has resulted in a more limited maintenance programme.  

In previous years South Dublin County Council employed a number of temporary staff to assist in the maintenance of the Council’s Burial Grounds during the summer months.  Temporary staff  cut grass, remove weeds and tidy up neglected plots in each of the cemeteries throughout the county.  It has not been possible to recruit any temporary staff this year as a result of the ban on recruitment of staff by central government. In addition budget constraints have required that the Council greatly reduce overtime across all departments, and this in turn has led to a reduction in the level of maintenance work carried out in the graveyards maintained by this Council. 

South Dublin County Council has not, therefore, been able to maintain the burial grounds to the high standard achieved over the last number of years.   To ensure a maintenance service across all burial grounds the maintenance work has been scheduled to reflect the annual grave yard masses.  This is considered to be the most equitable mechanism for the maintenance work.   The Council is making every effort to get through this schedule as best as possible within the limited resources available.  Any proposals regarding the involvement of families and residents in the management of burial grounds will be considered by the Council.