COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 08, 2025

MOTION NO. 6

MOTION: Councillor A. Smyth

This council calls on the Chief Executive to amend the policy on the issuing of long term pitch leases for clubs who have been in existence for over 20 years to include a clause for the council to remove the lease if the club ceases to operate.

REPORT:

The proposed provision of adding a clause is unnecessary as the lease will effectively terminate if the club ceases to operate.  Leases are generally contingent upon ongoing occupancy and typically contain provisions for termination based on non-use or other defined criteria.

Furthermore, SDCC has moved away from the practice of issuing long-term pitch leases. Only a small number of historical agreements remain in place, with current policy favouring shorter-term, flexible allocations to better respond to evolving community needs and usage patterns.

South Dublin County Council maintain and allocate over 166 playing pitches annually. These are available for use for various sporting clubs such as Gaelic football, Camogie, Hurling, Soccer, Rugby, Cricket, Rounders, Softball and Athletics etc. serving over 1,000 teams. 19,000 people in the county use these pitches on a weekly basis.

The allocation of playing pitches/sporting facilities is granted on a year-to-year basis subject to clubs undertaking to abide by the various Acts, Bye-Laws, terms and conditions etc. governing the use of County Council Parks and Open Spaces. The South Dublin County Council’s Allocation of Pitches/Sporting Facilities – Policy and Conditions are attached as a separate document.