COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 11, 2016

QUESTION NO.19

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

to ask for the Chief Executive to do a report and look at that the issue of council junk collections be looked at in order to combat illegal dumping in the county and that a report on cost be brought to a pre budget meeting for members consideration and discussion

REPLY:

Household junk collections were discontinued by South Dublin County Council over 8 years ago.

The service was provided to approximately 20,000 houses per year at an annual cost of over €500,000 to the Council.  This annual cost could not be sustained and therefore the service was discontinued.   

The junk collection service was provided at a frequency of once in every three years to homes located in RAPID areas, and once in every five years to all other areas. 

It is thought unlikely that the illegal dumping which takes place in this County would be prevented by the provision of such a service on a once in three or once in five year basis.  Also, the provision of this service would do nothing to address the illegal burning of black bag waste which takes place weekly in certain parts of the County. 

No charge was levied for the junk collection when it was provided previously, and this is in conflict with the "Polluter Pays Principle".  To reintroduce the service now on a similar basis would be in direct conflict with National and EU waste policy, and also the new Waste Plan for the Eastern Midlands Regions in this regard.