COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

MOTION NO.16

MOTION: Councillor L. O'Toole

That this Area Committee requests the Chief Executive to carry out and provide an audit of public litter bin provision within the Adamstown area and to compare same against bin provision levels within Lucan and surrounding established areas and where significant deficiencies or disparities are identified, to bring forward proposals for the installation of additional public litter bins throughout Adamstown having regard to the substantial population growth and increasing usage of public spaces, parks, transport routes and community areas within the locality.

REPORT:

The provision of bins is carried out in accordance with the Litter Bin Management protocol as set out in the Litter Management Plan 2026-2029.  This protocol aims to set out the basic principles for litter bin placement to provide consistency and appropriate coverage in all parts of the county.  This should provide greater understanding of litter bin provision and inform requests for new litter bins.  Locations where requests for bins should receive priority for litter bin placements are:

• Town and village centres
• Vicinity of shops such as newsagents, food retailers, supermarkets
• Areas where people congregate e.g. bus stops, tram stops, post offices, public service buildings/offices
• Main routes to schools
• Larger parks greater than 16 hectares in size e.g. in the vicinity of playgrounds and dog runs.

Capacity of the location to facilitate safe access for maintenance vehicles (side loader) will be considered in all cases.

Locations that are not considered suitable for litter bin as they tend to attract dumping, vandalism are:

• Residential areas with no mixed usage, especially cul-de-sac type developments, as they attract dumping of household waste around the litter bins
• Parks less than 16 hectares in size where they are in residential areas, unless some demonstrable demand exists that cannot be met by bin placement on street.

In managing this service, the Council is mindful of all costs when considering requests for new bins. These include not just the initial purchase and installation cost but must also have regard to the ongoing maintenance and servicing costs for each new bin. Where a request is received for a new/replacement litter bin, each location will be assessed having regard to the criteria set out above, as well as the existing provision of litter bins nearby i.e., within 400m.

An audit of litter bin provision in the Adamstown area will be carried out by the Public Realm team.  The audit will examine bin provision in parks, open spaces and on roads that have been taken in charge.  In the event of deficiencies being identified through the audit, this will be addressed by the provision of additional bins.  The details of the audit will be provided to the Elected Members when completed.

The provision of bins in areas of Adamstown that have not been taken in charge will be examined having regard to the Litter Management Plan.  SDCC requires bins to be provided in parks and appropriate open spaces as part of the conditioned landscape plans for new developments.  A review of these areas will be carried out where possible to ensure that this is being complied with.  On-street bins are not conditioned in planning permissions however there is a requirement for developers to maintain estates in good condition until such time as it is taken in charge.  Providing bins in appropriate locations is one aspect to keeping areas free of litter and it is noted that on-street bins have been provided in some areas of Adamstown.  Where bin deficiencies are identified, these will be brought to the attention of the Adamstown Planning Team for liaising with the various developers.