COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, October 21, 2013

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor M. Corr

That the Manager conducts a review of problematic vacant residential properties (public and private) in the West Tallaght area and provides an action plan to address concerns such as health and safety matters etc.

REPORT:

There are currently 26 Council housing units vacant in the West Tallaght Area.  The average relet time in this area is approximately 11 weeks.  One property has been vacant for an extended period, this is mainly due to it being a two bedroom specially adapted house with a mobile hoist.  The Housing Department in conjunction with occupational therapists, social workers and voluntary bodies is actively seeking a suitable tenant for this property.

The Council is acutely aware that vacant properties attract anti-social activity and therefore try within current resources to source a suitable tenant and re-allocate within as short a period of time as possible.  It should be noted that this Council has the lowest number of vacancies in the Country.

However, there are a number of privately owned vacant houses within this area, which have been secured/boared up by their owners or by the Council  to prevent vandalism.  Efforts are being currently made to contact the owners of these properties with a view to their remediation and return to use.

The Council's Litter Warden for the West Tallaght Area continues to closely monitor the general area and where evidence of illegal dumping and /or breach of Household Waste Bye-Laws is established, appropriate enforcement action is taken.  Where evidence presents of a public health hazard, e.g. accumulation of household domestic waste,  the matter will be referred to the Environmental Health Officer for appropriate action under the Public Health Ireland Act.