COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

QUESTION NO. 7

QUESTION: Councillor S. Holland

"To ask the Chief Executive to begin preparations for limiting anti-social behaviour at Halloween. Whitechurch estate has a large & dangerous bonfire every year on the little green facing the church.  The Council refused to move it last year as the wood and rubbish was built into a tower - however, the debris should be moved well beforehand. Residents have suggested an official bonfire, that all residents could attend - a Garda presence would deter anti-social behaviour?"

REPLY:

The Council welcomes a proactive and collaborative countywide approach to addressing issues relating to Halloween and inter-departmental meetings have already taken place in this regard.

There is provision of €20,000 in the Council's 2015 budget for Halloween, and it is expected that this will be split evenly to mark the festival with event(s) north and south of the Naas Road.

In recent weeks an initial meeting took place between Councillors in Clondalkin and relevant officials from Environment/Public Realm and Housing/Community Services.

It is now proposed to review the overall events surrounding Halloween 2014 and to discuss a plan for this year with representatives of the two Community Safety Fora and the Youth Services this month.

As in previous years the Council continue to promote and encourage a 'Safe Halloween'' with the objective of reducing injuries, environmental damage and the clean up cost associated with this time of year.

As in previous years, substantial effort will be made by the Council to deter the activity of illegal bonfires through a  range of measures, including focus on reducing the availability of material for bonfires by removing bonfire material from circulation during normal daylight working hours and within health and safety limits, enforcement of litter legislation by enforcement officers, and the bonfire prevention campaigns  such as "Bulbs not Bonfires".