COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTOWN/FONTHILL AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

QUESTION NO. 11

QUESTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

To ask the Chief Executive for a progress report on matters raised in relation to additional plots being provided at Esker Cemetery, the potential of a location for ashes to be buried/placed, communications from the developer of the new cemetery regarding timeframe for work recommencement; and if a statement can be made on the matter.

REPLY:

Planning permission for the proposed cemetery opposite Cherbury Estate was granted to the Esker Lawn Cemetery Committee following application in 2010 for the development of 3,640 grave spaces.  The development of the cemetery has not commenced, and the applicant applied for and was granted a 5 year extension on the permission which will expire in February 2023.  The Council has not had contact with the owners of this site as yet and is unaware of their intentions regarding its development.  The developer will be contacted in the coming days in this regard and the elected members will be updated on the matter once a reponse has been obtained.

South Dublin County Council's graveyard at Esker no longer has grave plots for sale at this time.  Development of a small number of additional plots is currently being considered, in a number of locations in the graveyard which were not originally intended for burials.  Arrangements are currently being made to engage consultancy services for the preparation of a design proposal and documentation for this. This design will include the provision of additional burial plots but will also examine the proposal to provide a facility for the burial of ashes as suggested here.

The Council has adequate provision for grave plots in its three graveyards at Saggart, Newcastle and Bohernabreena where there are currently 1,100 graves available to purchase.  There is provision for the development of an additional 4,800 plots at Bohernabreena.  This provides adequate provision of plots to meet demand for the next 15 to 20 years.  Private graveyards remain open and with plots available to purchase at Kilmashogue, Mount Venus and Newlands Cross also.