COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE/FIRHOUSE/BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

MOTION NO. 19

MOTION: Councillor Mary Seery-Kearney

I am seeking the support of this committee:

That the Council increases the frequency of supervisory inspections and cleansing of the lanes in Dublin 12, as there has been an excess of dumping in recent times and that CCTV is considered as a means of implementing no dumping restrictions.

REPORT:

Laneways in the area are patrolled by the Litter Warden on at least a weekly basis. All incidents of littering and illegal dumping detected or reported are investigated and where evidence is found, appropriate enforcement action is taken. Increasingly it is found that no personal information relating to polluters is contained within the dumped material, with personal information having been removed or shredded.

Across the county, during the Covid crisis, South Dublin County Council (SDCC) has witnessed a sizeable increase of illegal dumping and burning of waste, particularly domestic household waste. The volume of dumped material collected during the months of March and April has increased by 33% compared to the same period in 2019. To address the illegal dumping activities, Litter Wardens and Public Realm Crews have increased patrols and removed illegally dumped items at the earliest opportunities, whilst taking the necessary health and safety precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Waste Enforcement Officers are carrying out ongoing surveillance of litter pollution black spots. 

SDCC are currently undergoing an Audit by the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) and we are awaiting final decision reports from them. We anticipate a decision report from the DPC shortly and consideration of any future CCTV will be given taking due regard on that report. In the interim, we will be arranging for mapping of the lanes to be undertaken and for your assistance in identifying suggested 'black spots' where cameras could be considered.

As always, the Council is grateful for assistance and support from residents or others in their investigations of such incidents as they arise. In the absence of substantive evidence / witness statements and the presence of such witnesses in court it is not possible for us to bring successful prosecutions.