COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)
Monday, September 20, 2010
QUESTION NO. 8
QUESTION: Councillor M. Duff
"To ask the Manager to make a report to the Committee if there is any intention to have a publicity campaign regarding the dangers of illegal Halloween Bonfires, the cost of the removal of residue, and if there is any provision for Communities to apply to hold an organised Bonfire, with responsible adults present, at agreed locations and at agreed times?"
REPLY:
An interdepartmental group comprising of Parks, Housing, Environment and Community will coordinate the Council's response to Halloween 2010. This will include a publicity campaign using the following channels
- Distribution of posters and flyers to Libraries, Schools & Community centres
- Distribution of a leaflet to all households in the County
- Information on the Council' response and activities on the website www.sdcc.ie
- Use of social media - Twitter http://twitter.com/sdublincoco
- Visits by the Fire Service to schools and community groups
The Council will continue to support the organised bonfires which take place in Fettercairn and North Clondalkin. In order to reduce the number of bonfires in other locations the Council are encouraging all householders not to dispose of material for use in bonfires. As part of its integrated waste service, the Council will allow access, free of charge for householders with South Dublin County waste cards, on Saturday 30th October to the Civic Amenity, Ballymount.
To support and promote pro social activity, the Council will launch the Bulbs for Bonfires Scheme- communities who manage to keep a green space which was damaged last year free of a bonfire in 2010 will have last years damage reinstated and planted in a "Bulbs for Bonfires" programme across the county.
It is the Council's objective to spend 50% less on cleaning after Halloween and the budget this year is €50,000