COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (2)
Monday, March 22, 2010
QUESTION NO.3
QUESTION: Councillor C. King
"To ask the Manager to report on progress in relation to the clean up of bonfires in the Tallaght area from last October and the cost of same?"
REPLY:
The two official community bonfires at Fettercairn in West Tallaght and Neilstown North Clondalkin proved to be very successful and were well attended by the local communities. However evidence in 2009 showed that while the overall numbers had reduced unfortunately there was still an unacceptable level of illegal bonfires throughout the county.
A total of 523 illegal bonfires were identified throughout the County in 2009 representing an overall site clearance cost of €10l,525 (€194 per site exclusive of reinstatement costs). The comparative figures between 2008 and 2009 are set out below.
Year No Of Bonfires Individual Site Cost Overall Site Clearance Cost
2008 769 €335 €255,000
2009 523 €194 €101,525
The following is a profile of the 523 illegal bonfires throughout the county in 2009;
25% (131) Tallaght Central Area
34% (179) Tallaght South Area
6% (32) Rathfarnham Area
12% (67) Lucan LEA
22% (114) Clondalkin LEA.
Total 523
It is important to note that the reduction in costs per bonfire was achieved by putting in place a mechanism for recording the location and size of each bonfire and through utilising the Council's resources in the most cost efficient manner for the removal of the residual bonfire materials. The main savings were achieved as follows
A) Use and sharing of Council's plant and machinery
B) Reduced external plant hire
C) Reduced skip hire / disposal costs
It is important to note the figures shown do not include reinstatement costs nor is it the Councils intension having regard to existing resources to reinstate areas damaged by unofficial bonfires. To assist in the monitoring and management of illegal bonfires all of the bonfires identified throughout the county prior to and post Halloween have been digitally mapped by reference to Parks District, Local Electoral Area, Electoral Division and the size of each individual bonfire and a database established which will clearly identify the cost components of this unnecessary expenditure.
The Social Credits Programme is currently part of a public consultation process. It is anticipated that an initial programme will roll out on this before the end of June 2010. It is hoped that this programme will encompass an approach which will encourage communities to take action within their own communities to improve their physical environment. A major element is addressing the “cost of yesterday” and the considerable resources that are expended on reinstatement works with no return. An approach which allows for reinvestment of this resource is being explored. The elimination of bonfires is viewed as one which would sit well with the social credits programme and it is anticipated that it will be included where communities can expect to earn credits / rewards where they can remove a bonfire site from the county.
The links below provide access to the spatial mapping of the bonfires and access to the Social Credit Scheme.