COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 09, 2015

QUESTION NO.2

QUESTION: Councillor L. Dunne

To ask the Chief Executive what plans if any, have the Council to promote cleaner communities campaigns, encouraging community groups and residents to participate in such initiatives in housing estates.  Additionally, what support will be given to those who chose to participate?

REPLY:

The Council's Environment Water & Climate Change Directorate is very committed to delivery of the Corporate objectives to improve the aesthetic appearance of our County in the interest of Economic Development, the quality of life of its residents and the great benefit to the community. 

The local authority is conscious that it cannot deliver on this objective on its own and draws on the assistance of its stakeholders in the community and voluntary sector, business and beyond to help deliver the best possible outcomes for everyone.

Environmental Enforcement:

The Council's Litter Warden Services (5 Wardens) patrol the county and identify litter black spots on a regular basis. All incidents of illegal dumping are interrogated for evidence and appropriate enforcement action taken, where possible. Unfortunately however it is proving more difficult to retrieve evidence from dumped material to identity polluters and therefore the Council encourages all citizens to respect their community and environment, and to report instances of littering and illegal dumping, and to where possible assist the Council with identification of known culprits in order to bring successful convictions.

Environmental education and awareness:

There is particular emphasis on the promotion of environmental awareness amongst young people, households, communities and businesses in the County.    The following is an outline of activity:

• Green programme for young people - Green Schools, Green Times publication, competitions during Eco Week
• Provision of awareness materials to communities regarding waste management and anti-Litter
• Promotion of prevention, reuse, upcycling and recycling in the County
• Social credits - rewards community groups who improve their environment by carrying out pro-environmental actions such as community cleanups, maintenance of community gardens, graffiti removal and weeding of footpaths.  Benefits of the Social Credit's Scheme include:
  • Practical assistance to community groups
  • Advice from departmental staff
  • A reward for completing an action
  • Increases local pride and ownership of local area
  • Empowers groups to create cleaner, greener and safer communities
• Repair cafes- Engagement with volunteer repair people and community with a view to provide repair cafes  to reduce volume of materials going to landfill/ recycling and increase in items being fixed and reused.

Community Dept- Residents Groups / Tidy Districts

The Council's Social and Community Department will also work with Residents Groups and Tidy Districts groups to improve their areas. It is an objective to develop integrated strategies and actions that bring together all active groups in an area to further improve the local environment. If local groups are not already in contact with the local community development team then they should do so at the earliest opportunity. The local team will offer all advices and assistance including assistance identifying possible sources of funding.