COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

QUESTION NO. 5

QUESTION: Councillor M. Ward

"To ask the Chief Executive for a report indicating the amount of reports to the Council of rats, in the Clondalkin area from 01/01/2016 to present in comparison to same time in 2015, and the council's response to these reports?"

REPLY:

A review of the Customer Care System (CCS) for the county shows that in 2015 there were 233 enquiries relating to rats for the period 1st January to the end of August. For the same period in 2016 there were 224 enquiries. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of this figure on an electoral area basis. The figures relate to individual enquiries and does not take account of repeat enquiries for the same area.

Enquiries in relation to rats in private households are directed to the Health Service Executive. They have advised that they provide a free service for the treatment of rats in private households; which covers both house and garden. They can be contacted on (1850) 211774.

Where the customer reports a neighbouring property accumulating waste and thus attracting rats; the details are filled into the CCS and referred to the Environmental Health Officers. If rats are seen on the roadside, then the CCS is referred to the Roads Department. Rats within parkland or open spaces are referred to the Public Realm Section.

Enquiries referred to the Public Realm Section are investigated and should evidence of rats be found a number of actions can be taken. This may include the removal of vegetation, the removal of litter which may include a food source that is attracting rats, or issuing an order to the HSE to lay rat poison.

Finally, it needs to be acknowledged that sewers can be the source of rodent complaints and in that regard Irish Water have responsibility for the treatment of the sewerage system.