COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 09, 2017

QUESTION NO.2

QUESTION: Councillor P. Foley

I know, in the past, this Council carried out a cost review of ‘junk collections’ and these collections were considered too expensive. In light of the increase in illegal dumping, can the Council’s opinion be swayed on this?

REPLY:

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

At that time 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 regularly 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.

No such financial provision has been made in the 2017 Revenue Budget for such service.