COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTOWN/NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

QUESTION NO. 16

QUESTION: Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh

To ask the chief executive for a report in tabular form for the number of fines issued by the litter warden in 2020 for illegal dumping / littering - broken down for Lucan, Palmerstown and North Clondalkin and how these figures compare with the previous year/s

REPLY:

All incidents of illegal dumping reported or detected in any area are investigated by the Council's Litter Warden Service and all dumped material is searched for evidence. Where evidence is found, the appropriate enforcement action is taken under the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended. 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. In 2020, the Litter Warden Service has dealt with 546 Members Reps, 1,029 Fix Your Street reports and 2,176 Environmental Complaints. The number of Litter Fines issued in 2020 is 371. This information is not recorded on LEA basis at present.

Throughout the Covid 19 crisis and the subsequent implementation of Social Distancing restrictions, South Dublin County Council in conjunction with Waste Collectors and Civic Amenity Site Operators/Collectors, maintained waste collection services throughout the county. Despite maintaining the level of service, South Dublin County Council witnessed a sizeable increase of illegal dumping and burning of waste, particularly domestic household waste.

To address the illegal dumping activities, Litter Wardens and Public Realm Crews 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 carried out surveillance of litter pollution black spots. These activities continue.

In addition, the Council will continue to deliver on the actions set out in the Litter Management Plan 2020-2022 and report to Area Committee on the achievements of the plan.