COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

MOTION NO.5

MOTION: Councillor S. O'Hara

That this Area Committee request the manager to undertake a comprehensive examination of the existing graffiti removal process to identify inefficiencies and propose improvements to ensure a more effective response to graffiti removal requests.

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council is responsible for ensuring that public roads are kept litter free (including graffiti) in so far as it is practically possible and the prevention of the creation of litter through the following measures:

• Enforcement and Regulation
• Public Realm operations programmes
• Delivery of Communication, Education & Awareness programmes
• Development of protocols for response to service requests

SDCC removes graffiti as it arises around the county, utilising staff and probation services to respond effectively to any graffiti that is reported. Any graffiti that is considered offensive due to its content is always prioritised. Public Realm have examined the existing graffiti removal process and have identified ways in which we can improve our processes. 

In addition to the staff and probation services, a contractor has recently been engaged for graffiti and specialist graffiti removal. This will help to ensure a more effective and efficient response to graffiti removal.  

There is currently a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place with four utility providers. Public Realm have engaged with one of these providers and are currently working on updating our MOU with them. As this progresses, Public Realm will engage with the other utility providers also. 

To assist in combatting Graffiti, The Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant is made available to community groups and schools through the Environmental Awareness Section. In addition, the South Dublin Canvas project continues to be delivered and is used to discourage graffiti on traffic light boxes.

It is a criminal offence to deface property, and it is a requirement of Section 20 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 for property owners to remedy defacement. 

The purpose of this protocol below is to set out clearly the basic principles for the Council’s management of graffiti, and to provide consistency in approach to graffiti removal across the county:

• If the graffiti is on public property, the Council will arrange for its removal. Depending on the type of surface, chemicals or paint will be used.
• It is the responsibility of all property owners to remove graffiti from their premises.  Where graffiti is on private property the Council will request the property owner to remove the graffiti in the first instance. Depending on the location, and if the property faces onto a strategic public place, the Council will endeavour to have the defacement removed. The Council will require indemnity from the property owner or an agent of the property owner to enter onto the property for the purpose of removal of the defacement. The property owner or an agent of the property owner will sign an indemnity, and, in all cases, there will be a fee involved. No works will take place on private property in the absence of such indemnity and no chargeable work will be carried out until such charges are agreed by both parties.
• If the graffiti is on utility boxes belonging to utility companies, the company concerned will be contacted and requested to remove the graffiti. There is currently a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place with four utility providers. These are currently under review. Public Realm senior staff are meeting with the ESB to review their MOU in the first instance and meetings will be arranged with other utility companies following that meeting. 

In a limited number of circumstances, it may not be possible to remove the graffiti owing to difficulties accessing sites. There is continuous assessment of benefits and rewards available under the Social Credits Scheme and as groups develop and engage in the Social Credits Scheme more requests are being received and approved for assistance with removal of Graffiti.

SDCC understand the frustrations that graffiti brings to residents and businesses and is working with many groups and organisations to improve the aesthetic appearance of the county. We are grateful to all Councillors and members of the public who continue to help us by identifying areas of graffiti and also where Tidytowns groups have helped in the clean up of same.