COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

MOTION NO. 6

MOTION: Councillor E. Higgins

That the Manager report on cleansing and litter warden services throughout Lucan and Palmerston and in particular outline proposals for dealing with the serious litter problems in the laneways in Palmerston.

REPORT:

The Council utilise the services of the Cleansing Section to undertake the following duties:

·        clean fly tipping,

·        install, collect and maintain litter bins,

·        removal of dead animals

·        and general litter removal

 and the Operations unit who carry out

·        litter pick from the open spaces and green areas in housing estates

·        weed scuffling

in the Lucan Area.

There is also a Litter warden assigned to the area whose duties include investigation and prosecution of illegal dumping,

·        issuing of on-the-spot–fines,

·        prosecution of serious offences through the courts

The Council also provides a road sweeping service which is carried out throughout the area by a contractor.  Roads and estates are swept as per the road sweeping schedule and main road are swept a minimum of 12 times a year whilst housing estates are swept and litter picked four times a year. 

The laneways have required ongoing attention of the Environmental Services Department over a number of years as a result of the anti-social activities as well as the dumping of refuse and other materials there.  Continual patrol and monitoring of areas where there is consistent dumping forms part of the duties of the local Litter Warden as well as inspection of dumped material for any evidence to support enforcement action.  Once examined, the material is removed by the Council Cleansing Staff. The laneways are patrolled and cleaned as often as current resources allow.  However, some laneways will not be prioritised for graffiti removal due to budgetary constraints. 

Consultations will take place with the Litter Warden, the Cleansing Inspector and other relevant personnel with regard to formulating a proposal to address the issues of  litter and dumping in these areas.