COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 09, 2020

QUESTION NO. 17

QUESTION: Councillor Joanna Tuffy

To ask the Chief Executive if he has considered the possibility of a community warden scheme for South Dublin County Council, similar to that developed by other local authorities, including Cork City Council, and is there any funding that could be sourced by the Council to fund community wardens, particularly in light of expansion of the public realm as one of the responses of the Council to Covid-19 and the need for more space for distancing and outdoor activity, and that community wardens could help promote social distancing and be visible ambassadors for the Council in the community, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY:

While there are a range of Council staff working in the community including park rangers, community development officers, estate management & anti-social behaviour officers, rent inspectors, litter wardens etc. etc.  any previous preliminary local discussions around creating an amalgamated role of community warden comprising any/some/all of the duties of such posts were not productive or likely to provide any constructive basis for the creation of such a post, without considering any potential additional Covid-related duties.  Community wardens in some other local authorities perform similar duties to the existing staff resources outlined above and would not, in any case, have any formal authority in relation to social distancing guidelines while policing of larger gatherings would be more appropriately managed by An Garda Síochána.

It is incumbent upon all Council employees to ensure their adherence to the required health and safety measures including social distancing etc. thus leading by example in that regard while the Council has already taken appropriate measures, including with signage and supporting national campaigns through our social media channels, to inform the general public on social distancing and other Covid-related requirements in public areas and will continue to do so.