COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 13, 2023

QUESTION NO. 34

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive for a detailed report into the arrangement that SDCC has with the Probation service in relation to Graffiti removal?

REPLY:

The Environment, Water and Climate Change directorate, has for some years now, been working with the Irish Probation Service who provide an additional support to the council's graffiti removal service within the county.  The engagement with the Probation Services stems from a Community Service Graffiti Removal Project which was an initiative of the Probation Services and forms part of community service for offenders. 

This partnership involves the identification of specific public areas by the public, their elected representatives or Council staff of areas where graffiti has defaced property throughout the county.  These areas are then inspected by local Anti-Litter Wardens and subsequently referred to either the Council's Public Realm staff for removal or the Probation Services, depending on the specific location or type of graffiti/surface involved. 

There are a number of significant benefits to this arrangement for all parties involved, including cost effectiveness, the project has the potential to offer significant savings for communities, it has a positive and visible benefit for communities, and it engages the offender in a disciplined and structured routine similar to regular employment improving their readiness for employment.