COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 13, 2026

QUESTION NO. 22

QUESTION: Councillor J. Sinnott

To ask the Chief Executive if there are particular strategies or initiatives that the Council can take to tackle persistent fly tipping and illegal dumping in specific areas.

REPLY:

The Litter Management Plan 2026–2029, approved by the Members in April 2026, provides the strategic framework for tackling litter, fly-tipping and illegal dumping. The plan is action-based and structured around four key pillars:

Within this framework, a multi-strand approach is taken to persistent fly-tipping and illegal dumping, combining enforcement, deterrence, prevention, education and community engagement.

All reported or detected incidents of illegal dumping are investigated by the Litter Warden Service or Waste Enforcement Officers. Dumped material is examined for evidence and, where evidence is identified, enforcement action is pursued under the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended. In locations where repeated incidents occur, patrols are increased to assist with identifying offenders and gathering evidence. Reports also help to identify litter blackspots and target responses, including the deployment of temporary CCTV enforcement schemes where appropriate and in accordance with the Circular Economy Codes of Practice. Other targeted deterrent measures are used in known dumping hotspots, including audio device technologies at seven bottle bank locations.

Support also continues for the PURE initiative, which combats illegal dumping and fly-tipping in the Dublin and Wicklow uplands through environmental education, clean-up activity and enforcement support. The PURE project has recorded a 46% decrease in illegal dumping in the Wicklow/Dublin uplands compared with 2015.

Enforcement activity is further guided by national environmental enforcement requirements. An annual Recommended Minimum Criteria for Environmental Inspections (RMCEI) plan is prepared and submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, together with annual national enforcement priorities progress reports. The current national enforcement priorities for 2025–2027 include illegal waste activities, construction and demolition waste, household waste, commercial waste, plastics and producer responsibility initiatives. These priorities inform waste enforcement activity and support the targeting of resources to areas of greatest environmental risk.

A range of anti-dumping, awareness and prevention initiatives is delivered each year. These include projects supported through the annual Anti-Dumping Initiative scheme and the Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant, including mattress amnesties, WEEE recycling days, Eco Week programmes, targeted clean-ups of persistent blackspots, the deployment of CCTV, drones and audio deterrents, and community-led repair, reuse and recycling projects. These measures support the shared objectives of prevention, abatement, enforcement and education.

Participation in the National Spring Clean campaign, in partnership with An Taisce, is complemented by environmental education initiatives such as “Zero Trace” and “Zero Waste”. During National Spring Clean Month 2026, more than 100 local community groups were provided with free clean-up kits and participated in environmental improvement activities. Through the Social Credits Scheme, community groups, residents' associations and youth organisations are supported and rewarded for undertaking community clean-ups and environmental enhancement projects. In 2025, more than €62,000 was allocated through the scheme. Support is also provided to the Green-Schools Programme and the Picker Pals programme, which promotes litter awareness and waste reduction among primary school children and their families.

The recently announced increase in the litter fine from €150 to €250 will be implemented from the 1st of September. Applications will also be made by SDCC for any funding available through the newly announced €250,000 fund for local authorities to help maintain public areas, parks, beaches and greenways.

Enforcement, targeted deterrence, community engagement and environmental education measures will continue to be implemented within the framework of the Litter Management Plan 2026–2029 to address persistent fly-tipping and illegal dumping, and to support cleaner, safer and more sustainable communities.