COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

MOTION NO. 10

MOTION: Councillor E. Higgins

"Can the Council clarify how we monitor and manage Litter Warden and Cleaning schedules? I have had a number of commitments in relation to the patrolling of Baldonnel on a two-week cycle yet bags of litter have been on the route for over 4 weeks." 

REPORT: 

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.

Patrols are carried out in the Baldonnel area twice a week by the Litter Warden Service. Any dumped material located in this area is reported to the Council’s Public Realm Section for removal.

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.

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.

The Baldonnel area is cleaned a minimum of once per week by the Public Realm Section. The works are generally carried out on a Tuesday or Wednesday. If reports of additional litter/dumping are received from the Litter Warden, a member of the public or the Public Realm Supervisor, a second clean-up can often be carried out during the same week.