COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

QUESTION NO.4

QUESTION: Councillor J. Graham

To ask the Chief Executive to provide a report on the issue of the reporting of rats to the Council and the HSE in Clondalkin in the past 12 months and detailing the procedures for residents and Councillors when dealing with reported sightings of rats?

REPLY:

The control of rats and mice lies primarily with the HSE who enforce the Rats and Mice Destruction Act 1919

This legislation is enforced by the HSE through the Environmental Health Officer who may examine lands and direct occupiers to take such action as necessary to prevent an infestation. The EHOs can direct householders to cut back vegetation or remove items providing harbourage for rodents or to store pet food in pest proof containers where there is evidence of a rodent infestation.

The HSE Pest Control Service have advised that they provide a free service for the treatment of rats in private households; which covers both house and garden. This number is freely available (1850 211774). The EHOs have made this number available to Customer Care. They will direct householders to this service if they contact the Environmental Health Officers directly, and the EHOs often give the number to the offices of Councillors or elected reps as a useful referral number.

The HSE charges landlords for the treatment of privately rented accommodation and will not treat South Dublin County Council land without a direct request and submission of an order for payment. There were 3 orders during 2012 for the treatment of cockroaches in Clondalkin properties. There was 1 order for treatment of rats in 2012 (Shancastle Park). In respect of open green spaces, there were 3 orders for treatment of rats in Clondalkin in 2013 (Shancastle Park, Corkagh Park and Nangor Road).

South Dublin County Council also contracts with private commercial Pest Control firms as necessary.

The role of pest control is to eliminate any risk to human health from the rodent population.

The Environmental Health Officers may also act as an agent for the Local Authority in investigating reports of statutory public health nuisance. The storage of domestic waste in unsuitable containers on domestic premises can lead to public health nuisances. In the year, to the end of August 2014, the EHOs in Clondalkin have received 98 reports of waste accumulations in rear gardens. 23 were South Dublin County Council tenancies, 42 were privately let properties and 33 were owner occupier properties. Encouraging responsible waste storage and collection will assist enormously in controlling the rodent population in South Dublin County Council.

In summary, where a customer rings South Dublin County Council regarding rats on their property, they can be referred to the HSE pest control service on 1850 211774 for treatment. Where the customer reports a neighbouring property accumulating waste and thus attracting rats; the details are filled into the Customer Complaint system CCS and referred to the EHOs. If rats are seen on the roadside, then the CCS is referred to the Roads Department. Rats within Council Parkland are referred to the Parks Department/ Public realm.

Where in doubt, the Councillors are always free to ring the EHOs for advice or service.