COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

QUESTION NO. 15

QUESTION: Councillor T. Gilligan

To ask the Chief Executive how many cash for cars signs have been taken down this year and last year , broken down by year. and how many fines have been issues / paid?

REPLY:

It is well known that nationally, there is a problem pertaining to the widespread erection of illegal signage advertising "Cash for Cars”. It is believed that there are networks of offenders involved in this activity.

Where fixed penalty notices have been issued based on vehicle registrations, the notices sent to the addresses of the alleged polluter (which have been outside South Dublin County) by registered post have been returned as undelivered. Consequently, enforcement action, pursuant to the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended, has proven to be impossible. However, one Direct Prosecution has been initiated against an individual for alleged breaches of Section 19(1), Section 3(1), Section 23 (2) (a) and Section 23 (3) (a) of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended.

“Cash for Cars” signs in sticker format and corrugated board format are removed when located. The information on numbers of signs removed in 2013 and 2014 is not readily available as the work is often carried out as part of other works.