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SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 14, 2014

QUESTION NO.11

QUESTION: Councillor Martina Genockey

To ask how the Chief Executive intends to ensure that any long-term leaking problems in council houses are fixed before the installation of water meters in order to avoid householders paying unnecessary charges. And also how the council intends to deal with this issue on an ongoing basis? as residents have reported waiting quite some time to have leaks fully repaired.

REPLY:

When a repair request is made to the Housing Maintenance Section it is recorded on a computerised system (Technipoint) and given an identification number.  All requests are categorised according to severity.  Leaks are normally categorised as “Urgent” due to the damage they can cause to the house.  Urgent cases are completed within 10 days but in most cases they are completed earlier.

However if the leak is very severe (storm damage or burst pipes) it would be classified as an “Emergency” and completed within 5 days or earlier.   Occasionally Council crews may have to call back as identification of source of leak can pose problems, especially in the case of apartment where there are more than one unit involved.

A factor that would extend the time for dealing with leaks is the ability to gain access but in all such cases access cards are left with a request that they contact us to make an appointment for the work to be undertaken. 

At this time Housing Maintenance are not aware of any long term leaks in Council houses.