COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

MOTION NO. 7

MOTION: Councillor T. Gilligan

That the Manager addresses the issue of rat infestation at Cherrywood Avenue area connecting the recycling banks to the estate. Also to ask the Manager to install CCTV or a sign stated "area monitored by CCTV" at the recycling banks.

REPORT:

Cherrywood Avenue  is close to Clondalkin Park, and rodents are a normal part of the flora and fauna of any large open space or green area and do not generally cause major concern . The nearby community centre and the bottle banks are located between two water courses which is a natural habitat for rats.

Rodents, and in this case particularly rats, are generally only seen when a food source is available.  In this situation it is probably as a result of people dumping waste material in the surrounding areas. 

Unfortunately, it can be quite difficult to control rodent populations and bait is normally only used as a last resort as the bait itself can pose a risk to children and other animals.

The Cleansing Section will arrange an inspection of this area to establish if baiting of the area is required and to remove any abandoned waste material that may be drawing the rats to the area mentioned.

The requirement for the installation of CCTV  will be examined but it should be noted that in the current economic climate such measures will be subject to resources available.