COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

QUESTION NO. 6

QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

"To ask the Manger if she can advise the Committee on the up-to-date situation re: the rat infestation problem at the Steps, Sarsfield Park Lucan raised in Question 5 at the October 2012 Area Committee meeting?"

REPLY:

While the local Litter Warden reported that there were no significant litter issues at the location that appeared to be causing a rat infestation, it was decided by Parks staff that bait should be laid at this location because of sightings of rats in the area.  It should be noted that laying of bait or poison is not something that is done regularly or automatically upon receipt of complaints about rats but in this instance it was considered to be justified by Parks staff.

The area is regularly patrolled and if any material is dumped there it is generally promptly removed. Rats generally only are seen regularly in an area when a food source is available and therefore regular patrolling and cleansing should be sufficient to prevent any further issues at this location.  However, the area would form a natural habitat for rodents and despite the most stringent control measures there are likely to still be sightings from time to time.