COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, November 24, 2014

QUESTION NO.22

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

"To ask the Chief Executive Officer if he would take specific and effective action in respect of the litter problem in the general Springfield area of Tallaght and if he would confirm that he is dealing with the complaints brought to his attention by (details supplied) 

REPLY:

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

To date in 2014, the Litter Warden Service has received and investigated seventy one (71) complaints of illegal dumping/littering in relation to the Springfield area. Unfortunately, due to a lack of evidence, the Litter Warden has been in a position to issue only one (1) fine. However, it should be noted that a number of fines have been issued to residents of the Springfield area for dumping in other parts of the County.  

The Council can confirm that all complaints received by the named individual have been investigated by the Litter Warden and dumped matter has been removed/listed for removal.

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. Local residents are urged and 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 of illegal dumping and littering through the following channels:

The Council is currently considering all options open to it to assist it with gathering evidence on polluters and it may also be an option for Springfield Residents to consider working with our Community Department in examining the potential to establish a Springfield Tidy Towns Group.