COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

QUESTION NO. 8

QUESTION: Councillor D. O'Brien

"To ask the Chief Executive to provide a report on ongoing efforts to address the problems of illegal dumping and overgrown trees and shrubs at the laneways that run at the back of houses from Kennelsfort Rd, Palmerstown Avenue and adjoining streets?"

REPLY:

A headed item was presented to the Lucan Area Committee Meeting in March setting out a Palmerston Laneway Cleaning Programme. The programme was designed to initially schedule cleanups to take place on a 6 week rotating cycle with a review of frequencies to occur after 3 months. The nature of the works includes litter removal, removal of fly-tipped waste and the removal or spraying of weeds as required.

The programme commenced operation in April and all laneways were cleaned of dumped material systematically over the first 6 week period. During the second 6 week period efforts were concentrated on the removal of vegetation in addition to waste removal. This was followed up by the application of herbicides during June and July. It became apparent during this period that the volume and frequency of waste being dumped exceeded the resources available to keep the lanes clean on the 6 week period as initially proposed.

The programme was therefore modified and currently all lanes are inspected on a weekly basis and waste material removed where it is present.

All reports of illegal dumping and littering are investigated by the Council's Litter Warden Service and dumped material interrogated for evidence.  Where evidence is found the appropriate enforcement action under the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended, (the Act) is taken. 

The Litter Warden for the area monitors the laneways in the Palmerston area and to date in 2014, has investigated 76 complaints in relation to illegal dumping in the laneways. Unfortunately, due to lack of evidence, this resulted in the issuing of only two (2) fines by the Litter Warden, pursuant to the Act.  Increasingly, it is found that no personal information relating to the polluters is contained within the dumped material with personal information having been removed or shredded. 

Where there is an on going problem of illegal dumping and littering in any area, local residents are encouraged to support the Council in taking the appropriate enforcement action by making reports to the Litter Warden for investigation and by providing evidence where possible.  Members of the public can make reports to the Litter Warden Service via the Customer Care Contact System, Fix Your Street or by phoning 01-4149220.

Rather that react to littering problems by removal and enforcement methods it is preferable to prevent dumping of waste it in the first instance. It is often found that where communities become involved the effectiveness of tackling such issues is enhanced. Residents are therefore encouraged through the medium of the Council's Social Credits Scheme to seek rewards for community based initiatives, such as community clean ups.

Trees and shrubs in the lane have been pruned and removed on numerous occasions over the last number of years. In some situations the ESB has assisted with the removal of trees where they have been in close contact with power lines. The area has been listed again for pruning during the winter pruning season.