COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
QUESTION NO. 1
QUESTION: Councillor J. Lahart
"To ask the Manager to include Prospect Manor in the Bulbs for pro-social activities initiative as the Residents Association have gone to such efforts to keep their estate in a prime condition at considerable cost to themselves - and as a gesture towards pro-social activity within the Rathfarnham area?"
REPLY:
The Bulbs For Bonfires scheme was established in 2010 following a pilot in Halloween 2009. The scheme is specifically targeted towards bonfire prevention and does not cover any other community initiatives. The scheme was designed to encourage a change in behaviour and reward communities who managed to keep a park or open space - which was damaged in the previous year - free of bonfires in the current year. It was not intended that the scheme would be used to reward estates, that were successful in 2010, again in 2011. Prospect Manor applied successfully for bulbs under the 2010 scheme and 350 bulbs were planted in the estate.
The 'Bulbs not Bonfires' scheme is being reviewed as part of the general review of Halloween 2011 and consideration will be given to dealing with this issue.
It should also be noted that there are a range of community grants available to community groups towards the cost of a range of pro-social activities. A link is attached to the community grants scheme booklet, which shows the criteria of applying for funding. The Residents Association can request a Community Worker to meet with the residents group and discuss if they are eligible for funding from SDCC.
http://communityservices.southdublin.ie/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=40&Itemid=62
The Residents Association may also be interested in applying to the Social Credits Scheme. The Social Credits Scheme (SCS) rewards community groups who improve their environment by carrying out pro-environmental actions such as community cleanups, maintenance of community gardens, graffiti removal and weeding of footpaths. The scheme is open to all community groups in South Dublin County Council's area including:
- Environmental groups
- Primary and Post Primary schools
- Resident's Asociations
- Volunteer groups
- Youth groups
Benefits of the Social Credit's Scheme to Communities include:
- Practical assistance to community groups
- Advice from departmental staff
- A reward for completing an action
- Increases local pride and ownership of your local area
- Empowers groups to create cleaner, greener and safer communities
Groups interested in the Social Credit's Scheme must apply in advance of any works being undertaken listing the work they intend to do and the reward they would like to receive. The rewards are based on usage of South Dublin County Council's services and facilities.