COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

QUESTION NO. 3

QUESTION: Councillor M. Ward

"To ask the Chief Executive for a report on illegal dumping and littering in Bawnoge particularly along St Cuthbert's Road including what enforcement action the Council is taking against those tenants who are not disposing of their rubbish appropriately."

Reply;

The total number of incidents reported in 2016 to date regarding illegal dumping and littering for the Bawnogue area is 78 of which 6 relate to St. Cuthberts Road area.  Further investigations into this illegally dumped material by the Litter Wardens service resulted in six fines and six notices being issued.

The Council is fully committed to tackling individuals or groups who are engaged in illegal dumping.

All reports of litter and illegal dumping are recorded on the Environmental Complaints System, where they are tracked from original complaint, through investigation to enforcement and all incidents of illegal dumping received are searched for evidence and appropriate enforcement action taken, where possible. 

The Council's Litter Management Plan committed to addressing the negative impact of litter and illegal dumping throughout the county.

There has been an increased targeted focus on known litter generator areas, with raised visibility of our Warden Service with branded vehicles, and a number of structured routes have been identified for continuous patrol, as well as ad hoc patrols and investigations as required. 

Response times to dealing with requests for clean-up following illegal dumping incidents is currently under review.

It is proving extremely difficult to obtain evidence in relation to the identity of offenders, and we continue to encourage residents and the public at large to support the Council in efforts to identify alleged polluters and to provide the necessary information to allow appropriate enforcement action to be taken. In the absence of clear and substantive evidence, or witness statements and the presence of such witnesses in Court, it will not be possible to bring successful prosecutions.