COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, February 28, 2022

QUESTION NO.

QUESTION: Councillor M. Duff

"Regarding the recently installed Welcome to Tallaght Village sign at Newtown, can the Manager advise this Area Committee as to what element of Public Consultation took place regarding the signage and their locations? Can the Manager also advise if the signage is covered by Public Liability Insurance? Can the Manager state reasons why the signage design and locations were not brought before this Area Committee to allow input by the Elected Tallaght Councillors? Did the Group claiming ownership of these signs apply for Planning Permission for the signage?"

REPLY:

The signs in question were purchased with a Community grant some time ago.  The signs bought conform to the specifications agreed in the the adopted signage and wayfinding strategy 2018. I attach a copy of this adopted strategy.

Recently, the issue was raised about these signs and could they be erected.  The Traffic Section was tasked with finding suitable safe locations for the signs and installing them.

The Traffic Section installed the three signs at suitable locations. Signs of this nature erected by the Council do not need a section 254 licence because they effectively are Council signs.

In the normal run of events the technical staff would not consult on individual information signs with the elected members.

However, it has been agreed to consult on the Welcome to Tallaght Gateway signage that will be progressed this year.  The reason for this is that this sigange is at a county wide scale and the Gateway signs will involve major decisions on design, material selection and these signs will be significant landmarks for the County Town.

As part of that county wide review,  all existing signage will be reviewed for appropriateness and any signage found to be not in keeping with the consitency of signage throughout the county will be modified or removed.

However, it is important to note the signage in question is different signage than the intended Gateway signage. This signage says "Welcome to Tallaght Village". This signage conforms to the Failte Ireland specifications for Heritage Information signage and the materials used for the signage comply with the normal specification for such sigange.

In terms of Public Liability insurance, they are effectively the property of the Council, have been erected by the Council in a safe manner and as such are covered by our normal public liability insurance.