COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 08, 2019

QUESTION NO. 23

QUESTION: Councillor Alan Edge

While acknowledging the Council's 'leave only paw prints' approach to dog fouling, given the growing problem of dog poo bags being discarded, will the Chief Executive clarify the Council's position regarding the provision of bins specifically for dog poo, particularly on green spaces in residential areas?

REPLY:

South Dublin County Council does not provide a separate service for the disposal/collection of dog litter, such waste if properly bagged can be disposed of in a standard litter bin.  The Council provides standard type litter bins in it's main parks and at the dog runs which have been provided in those parks.  In total there are approximately 130 litter bins provided at parks locations in the County, this number has increased in recent years and will continue to increase as the need arises.  In general litter bins are not provided on green spaces in housing estates except where the need arises due to it's proximity to schools or a shopping centre for example.   Where such a need is identified the Council will provide a standard litter bin at the location in question. There are a further 650 litter bins provided on streets and in villages and urban centres.

A review of the litter bin service was carried out in 2016/'17 by the Environment, Public Realm and Climate Change SPC and the issue of bins for dog waste was considered at that time.  The view of the Strategic Policy Committee at the time was that there was no need to change from the position that dog waste could be disposed of in the standard bins provided around the County, and therefore there was no requirement to provide an additional service for this. 

The Green Dog Walker (GDW) initiative is promoted by South Dublin County Council on an ongoing basis through, but not limited to, social media campaigns and promotional material at popup stands in Council's public buildings. As the Green Dog Walker initiative is a community led initiative a GDW pop up stand has also been made available to community groups for use at community events, which several groups have already availed of. Community groups in this area are also welcome to avail of the GDW, pop-up stand and other promotional materials.

Dog Litter Signage (3 different designs) is available and requests for signage are considered. Throughout the year dog litter signs are erected within the county by Council personnel and similarly, signage is provided directly to Councillors / Registered / Residents Groups for distribution and erection with the caveat that such signage erected must have due regard for public health and safety, and must not impede visibility or restrict traffic, cycling and pedestrian flow. Also, if it is proposed to co-use a pole, authorisation will be required.