COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 23rd, 2017

QUESTION NO.19

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask for a detailed report into Leaf collection in South Dublin County Council - who carries this out and what is the cost to South Dublin County Council? Also who checks the quality of Leaf collection and value for money?

REPLY:

 

The system in place for collection, sweeping and removal of leaves is as follows :

Where a request is received from a resident’s group for collection of bagged leaves from a community clean up, this request will be processed through the social credits scheme and the service as requested will be provided if the social credits application is approved.

Residents' groups may also request hessian bags (recycled coffee bags) through the Social Credits Scheme to create their own leaf mould, which is great for gardeners and the environment. This highly beneficial compost can be used in your garden, vegetable plots, container plants, community planting areas or community gardens. Requests for this service should be sent to info@sdublincoco.ie .

Where any individual wishes to request leaf sweeping or has gathered and bagged leaves from the public footpath or roadway, the Council will endeavour to arrange collection of these bagged leaves in conjunction with the seasonal leaf sweeping operation.  Such requests may be made through info@sdublincoco.ie or by telephoning 01 414 9000.

The current provider of road sweeping services to the Council, Oxigen Environmental Ltd, is required by contract to provide a leaf sweeping and removal service to the Council during the five month period from September 1st to January 31st.  The service is provided on an as requested basis, that is there is no predetermined frequency for leaf removal/sweeping.  There is no limit on the number of occasions when leaf removal can be requested from an area, this can be done as often as the need dictates.  The cost to the Council for Oxigen to provide this element of the service is €32,234 per annum. 

The sweeping and removal of leaves is monitored by the public realm supervisory and management staff, along with all other tasks which are assigned to that section.  While a full cost benefit analysis has not been carried out on the leaf removal activity to date and therefore it is not possible to comment in detail with regard to the value for money issue, however the cost of the service provided by Oxigen is considered to be low and to represent good value for money.