COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)
Monday, November 26, 2012
MOTION NO. 13
MOTION: Councillor C. King
That this Committee calls on the Manager to provide a report on the successfull programme of Holloween events thats took place in Tallaght including the parade, Ballymount Civic amenity etc and to provide an evaluation of same if that is possible at this time.
REPORT:
A number of initiatives were organised by the Council as part of a new approach towards celebrating Halloween in a fun and safe way. These included a Halloween celebration in North Clondalkin and a parade and celebration in Tallaght, Bulbs not Bonfire initiative, free access to Civic Amenity, Ballymount, WEEE recycling opportunities throughout the County. The Council’s approach has been three pronged –
- Communication – promotion of the positive and negative aspects of Halloween to reduce the negative impacts
- Prevention and Reduction of bonfire material - actively preventing illegal bonfires by reducing the availability of material
- “THE HAUNTED” Celebration – providing and promoting organized events to include particiaption, learning and allowing communities a focus for celebration
1. Communications
A postcard outlining both the positive and negative aspects of Halloween was delivered to every household in the County. This card allowed each household free access to the Civic Amenity, Ballymount on Saturday 27th October. Due to the numbers of people who turned up on their were those who did not get to access the Civic amenity these people were given vouchers to return the use the CA for free up to Wednesday 31st October .
- A Halloween activity pack was sent to all schools and included a reading list, activity sheets highlighting the contribution of all the agencies and how Halloween affects them. This resource was also available online.
- An interagency approach which included the Gardai, Fire Brigade and Dublin Bus was put in place to promote a Safe Halloween through visit schools
- Four press releases were issued
- The Safe Halloween initiative received coverage by a number of local media
Dublin West Access radio, covering Clondalkin, Lucan and Palmerston, broadcast interviews with Council Officials regarding our activities planned for Halloween 2012.
2. Prevention and Reduction of bonfire material/Clean Up
Halloween 2012 fell on Wednesday 31st October 2012. As in previous years, bonfire related activity commenced approximately two weeks in advance of Halloween with the first reports received from the public via the Customer Care system being logged on the 15th October 2012.
In total, 134 customer care enquiries were logged in the customer care system by close of business on 31st October reporting bonfire materials at locations around the county. While some of these reports were duplicated, they translated into a total of 89 sites to be dealt with.
Bonfire Sites
There were 373 recorded bonfires in 2012. This represents a 6% increase on the 2011 figure (351). The clean operation has commenced across all areas of the county.
The table below shows the breakdown of locations by electoral area -
| Elec Area | Pre Halloween Sites | Bonfires |
| Clondalkin | 28 | 146 |
| Tallaght South | 22 | 108 |
| Tallaght Central | 25 | 66 |
| Lucan | 13 | 42 |
| Rathfarnham | 1 | 11 |
| Total | 89 | 373 |
Civic Amenity
The Council’s open day at the Ballymount Civic Amenity was a significant success though the sheer numbers attending (approx 2,800) will mean that the approach and arrangements will need to be reviewed in preparation if the event is to continue in 2013.
| Waste Stream | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
| No of Visitors | 3,056 | 1,012 | 2,800 |
| Domestic Waste | 59 | ||
| Bulky Waste | 104 | ||
| Timber | 5 | ||
| Green waste | 31 | ||
| Other | 43 | ||
| Total | 97 | 126 | 242 |
3. “THE HAUNTED” Celebration
For 2012 it was decided to adopt a new approach that would promote a new message in celebrating Halloween in a fun and safe way. “ THE HAUNTED” Halloween celebration was organized as a community participatory initiative aimed at building on community capacity and providing a fun filled spectacle for families through the direct involvement of young people and their families. The events aim was to move away from the mixed message of the community bonfire while maintaining a focus for families and communities around which the Halloween celebrations could take place.
A programme was developed with community arts groups that involved young people from Tallaght and Clondalkin in arts and performance workshops. In these workshops the young people learned the art of costume making and street performance. The workshops culminated in two events featuring pageant type music and dance displays, one in Tallaght and one in Clondalkin. These events showcased the new skills learned by the young people. In Tallaght 6 community groups were involved in the parade (Dizzy Footwork, Dominic's Community Centre, Tallaght Youth Theatre, St Mark’s Choir, Fettercairn Community Centre and Tallaght Youth Forum) with approximately 400 young people and families taking part in the parade.
The Cost of Halloween to the Council
The total estimated projected cost associated with Halloween will be in excess of €120,000.