COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, November 12, 2012
MOTION NO.5
MOTION: Councillor M. Devine
That this Council discuss, with the aid of a report, the increasing numbers of households applying for Transfer of accommodation due to Anti-Social Behaviour
REPORT:
The following report outlines the number of applicants during 2010 and 2011 as well as the period January to September, 2012 who applied for transfers on alleged anti social behaviour grounds and outlines those who were considered to be in need of a transfer.
| Year | Total Requested | Total granted |
| 2010 | 42 | 6 |
| 2011 | 55 | 11 |
| 2012 | 48 | 8 |
It should be noted that not all applications for transfers on alleged anti social behaviour warrant a transfer once the allegations are investigated.
In cases were tenants applying for transfers on alleged anti social grounds, the Councils dedicated team of anti social officers in conjunction with the Gardai carry out full investigations to establish if such a transfer is warranted. The Council does endeavor to resolve the situation rather than transfer people from their homes. In the majority of cases the Council resolves the situation and bring the perpetrators to task.
The Allocations Support Unit will continue to ensure that all complaints received are investigated fully and will take the appropriate action where and when necessary. The Allocations Support Officers have regular meetings with the Garda and any incidents of anti social behaviour can also be discussed at this meeting and a plan of operation put in place to deal with same.
The following avenues are open to tenants who experience anti social behaviour within Local Authority Housing estates.
Customer Care
Members of the public can submit complaints in relation to anti social behaviour through the Council’s Customer Care Centre, County Hall, Tallaght and Clondalkin.
Housing Clinics
Housing Clinics are held weekly for residents county wide. The purpose of the clinics is to afford members of the public an opportunity to discuss housing related matters including allegations of anti social behaviour. The Clinics are attended by the Council’s Housing Anti Social Officers and the local Community Garda.
Confidential freephone number/email
The Council’s Allocations Support Unit offers a confidential freephone number where tenants / member of the public may ring and leave information relating to an incident of anti social activity in the area. Members of the public are actively encouraged to do so as to ensure the best response form the local authority. The freephone number is checked twice daily Mon – Fri – complaints are logged by reference to category of complaint.
There are three categories of complaint for varying degrees of anti social behaviour, these categories are outlined in the Anti Social behaviour Strategy 2010 - 2014 which was adopted by the members at the Council meeting of 8th November 2010. The following link refers
http://intranet/cmas/documentsview.aspx?id=30163
The aim of the policy document is to create and sustain a safe and peaceful living environment for the tenants of South Dublin County Council by actively tackling anti social behaviour through prevention, enforcement, support and rehabilitation. The categorization of incidents of anti-social behaviour provides a mechanism for prioritizing investigation of anti-social complaints having regard to the gravity and impact of the incident.
Anti social officers
The Council’s Housing Estate Management Team comprises of a team of dedicated Allocations Support Officers who work on an area basis. Officers for the county are available Monday to Thurs 9am to 5pm (Friday 9am to 4pm) to meet with any individual /community group who may wish to make a formal complaint about anti social behaviour. Meetings are convened at a pre-determined location by agreement with the complainant. Direct contact can be made with the Allocations Support Unit by phoning 414 9265 or Freephone no 1800 200 245.
Complaints regarding anti social behaviour are dealt with in the strictest confidence.