COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, October 13, 2025
QUESTION NO. 23
QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons
To ask the Chief Executive would he consider raising the Council grant available to residents groups who undertake vital work on their estates and area and also outline grants available?
REPLY:
The Environmental Improvements Grant is for a maximum amount of €500 and is aimed at assisting community groups (such as local resident groups and local environmental groups) who are actively seeking to improve the local environment in the communities where they live. These activities may include:
- Tree & shrub planting programmes, which must be agreed with Parks/Roads department prior to works.
- Purchase of name stones for estates, which must be agreed with Parks/Roads department prior to works.
- Purchase of equipment which is essential to complete the works.
- Other local environmental improvements which are approved by the Community Services Department.
Full details of all available community grants is available here. To gain a full understanding of all the funding streams and opportunities currently available, Residents’ Associations are encouraged to contact their local Community Officer. The Community Officer will be happy to provide guidance and support throughout the application process and to help groups maximise the benefit of the grant programmes in place. The Community Grants are reviewed annually by the team but increasing the amount of the grant has not be identified as an issue.
The Social Credits Scheme is also relevant here as it supports and rewards community groups and individuals who take ownership of their environment and improve their local area by carrying out pro-environmental actions such as community clean-ups, maintenance of community gardens, graffiti removal, weeding of footpaths etc. The benefits of community participation in the Social Credit's Scheme include:
- Practical assistance to community groups / Resident's Associations
- Materials to support / assist applicants with their pro-environmental project
- Advice from Council staff and information on existing Council services and facilities
- Increased local pride and community ownership of local areas
- Empowerment of groups to create cleaner, greener, and safer communities
- Groups interested in the Social Credit's Scheme apply in advance of any works being undertaken listing the work they intend to do and the reward they would like / expect to receive, within the confines of South Dublin County Council's services and facilities.
Further details of this scheme are available here