COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 14, 2011

MOTION NO. 2

MOTION: Councillor E. Maloney

Mayor's Business

That the elected members of this Council opposes any decision to privatise the bin collection service.

We oppose any loss of jobs from the bin service and believe that privatisation of the bin collection service will lead to a more expensive service for the householder.

REPORT:

South Dublin operates a refuse collection service in the county.  This is a three bin system - green, brown and black - as required under the Council's Bye-Laws.  There are a number of private providers also operating in the county and providing the same service to customers.  Recent years have seen dramatic changes in presentation levels and increasing costs in relation to disposal.  Each day that the Council collects waste it now costs €55,000.  This situation is unsustainable.  The Council under Section 33 of the Waste Management Act (as amended) "shall collect, or arrange for the collection of, household waste within its functional area".  The Council therefore is undertaking a review of options which include keeping the service as it is, understanding the value and interest of the market int he service, procuring the service or indeed simply standing back from the service.

The Council is progressing with exploring these options and is in discussion with the trade unions.  The Council in so doing is acting within the scope of the Public Service Agreement (Croke Park).  There will be no loss of jobs from any action taken to bring about a change in waste collection within the county.   The collection of waste is part of the Waste Management Plan and under Section 10 (d) of the Waste Management Act 1996  is an executive function.