COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE
Monday, September 24, 2018
QUESTION NO. 9
QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor
"To ask the Chief Executive if he will detail actions available to the Council to deal with the menace of Scramblers activity in the general Kingswood Heights area as highlighted by Kingswood Heights Residents Association and in reporting will he detail his general view in respect of this matter which also effects many other Tallaght communities?"
REPLY:
"On-going problems associated with scramblers and quads in some parts of the county is causing distress to residents, sporting clubs and the Council as their quality of life is being impacted negatively through extreme damage to community open spaces and playing facilities. The council is actively working with An Garda Síochána, community representatives and residents of various housing estates in relation to this issue. Following motions passed by this Council a regional taskforce has recently been established between the four Dublin Local Authorities, Department of Justice, Department of Transport, An Garda Síochána, Motorcross Ireland and the Road Safety Authority in relation to dealing with ongoing matters about the use, misuse and dangers of scramblers and quadbikes across Dublin City and County.
The first meeting of the taskforce took place on Thursday 21st June 2018 in County Hall, Tallaght and was very well attended. Focus for the Task Force include legislation and enforcement, and is considered timely given Minister Flanagan's recent announcement that he is set to consider additional legislation to tackle the anti-social misuse of scramblers and quad bikes. At the second meeting of the task force which was held on September 13th representatives from the Dept of Justice which included Minister Flanagan's legal advisor confirmed that they have sought advices from the office of the Attorney General on a range of relevant matters and when this advice has been provided they will be in a position to proceed.
Public Realm works have been initiated at some locations in an attempt to combat the problem of scramblers and quads accessing parks and open spaces, for example approximately 800m of high railing has been erected around Butler McGee Park at Drumcairn Estate at an approximate cost of €100,000. Requests have been received for boundary treatment works at Killinarden Park, Jobstown Park, Dodder Valley Park, Tymon Park (at the Basketball Arena), Bancroft Park, Glenshane Green and St Cuthbert's Park in Clondalkin to name just some of the locations where this anti social behaviour is ongoing. The Council is cognisant that as requests for new and improved boundary treatments continue to be received, and as the list grows, the potential cost of both honouring commitments already given as well as responding positively to new requests received has the potential to escalate to a level where the current financial provision cannot meet what is required. The Kingswood Heights area will be examined to determine the extent of the problem at present and if any simple measures can be put in place to prevent access to affected areas."