COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, May 09, 2011

MOTION NO. 2

MOTION: Councillor T. Ridge

That a report be brought to this committee re road margins and open spaces owned or maintained by this council where youths congregrate for drinking and drugging activities resulting in debris (needles and broken bottles) being discarded on these spaces to the danger of young children, my query is to ascertain whose responsibility is the removal of this detritus.

REPORT:

In general, the removal of any material from public open spaces is the responsibility of the Parks Department while the removal of material from roadways and footpaths is the responsibility of the Cleansing Section.   Depending on the nature of the roadside margin, material may also be removed by the Drainage Section as appropriate.

All material is ordinarily inspected in the first instance by the local Litter Warden to assess whether any evidence is available from it to support a litter fine / prosecution.  Where any evidence is found appropriate enforcement action is taken.  The warden will then arrange for the removal of the material by the staff from the appropriate Section.  It is part of the Public Realm Management ethos to ensure co-ordination across departments for the removal of debris where there are particularly problem sites and where the area damaged stretches across different type of public spaces.

Protocols are in place and staff across relevant Departments are specifically trained for the removal of dangerous items such as needles.