Questions Asked of the City Council

Cllr Criona Ni Dhalaigh tabled two questions on behalf of residents at December's South Area Committee Meeting - here are the questions and DCC's responses:-

QUESTION:
"To ask the Area Manager in the new litter plan what is the criteria to have an area declared a litter blackspot and could she please consider the following area as a litter blackspot. The residents and I have made numerous representations to the council to take action on the illegal dumping in this area but the problem continues. Could she please also ensure that this area
is not left without a bin collection over the Christmas period as has happened in the past. Details: Darley's Terrace, Cameron Street, Eugene St, Maxwell Street,Fingal Street which are all of Cork Street/Donore Avenue"

MANAGER'S REPLY:
"The location of Litter Black Spots is determined by surveys carried out under the National Litter Pollution Monitoring System. The main Causative Factors identified as contributors to creation of Litter Black Spots are as follows: Pedestrians, Motorists, Retail Outlets, Gathering Points, Fast Food Outlets, Schools, Bus Stops. Refuse collection is also on the list but with a contribution level of only 0.1% nationally. The Cork St. Buildings area does not display any of the usual causative factors in that this is a very quiet set of purely residential streets with low footfall and little or no levels of vehicular traffic. The Cork St. Buildings area goes completely against national trends in that the vast bulk of the litter is created by the residents themselves, through poor presentation of domestic waste.

Whilst no survey has been carried out at this location, there is adequate local knowledge to establish that there is a significant litter problem in this area, which requires attention. For many years domestic waste was collected from these streets on a daily basis, which exacerbated the litter problem. In response to this problem the City Council has:
1. Organised a high visibility 'blitz' of the area during August of this year comprised of the Litter Prevention Officer, 4 Litter Wardens and 2-3 Gardaí.
This was carried out over 3 days in five-hour shifts, starting at 10am and ending at 9pm. The staff on duty engaged freely with residents explaining why refuse should not be put on the street on a daily basis,
2. Waiver Application Forms were distributed to those that might qualify and advice given on how to complete same,
3. A clear statement of refuse collection arrangements for the area was distributed,
4. Covert surveillance from an anonymous vehicle for a total of 7 hours spread out over a three-week period,
5. In order to enhance the area and encourage residents to take pride in their place, a number of flower tubs were placed on all the streets and a subsidised sale of window boxes and plants organised,
6. Guaranteed collection of all untagged waste on a once weekly basis for detailed search by a Litter Warden in the local Depot,
7. Visits to individual householders concerning presentation of waste following tip-offs by eyewitnesses,
8. Encouraged the residents to set up a revitalised committee to represent the area and facilitate communication with all those living on the streets,
9. Regular random patrols by Litter Wardens.
The level of littering on these streets is disproportional to the size and population of the area. The City Council can only employ measures that are reasonable and feasible in the context of available resources. The City Council has not refused any reasonable request from the residents representing this area.
Refuse collection for this area takes place every Thursday. [the reply went on to list the Christmas waste collection arrangements.]"

QUESTION:
"To ask the Area Manager to permit the use of the covert anti-dumping camera (which has secured 12 prosecutions for the council) to assist with the serious illegal dumping at (details supplied). The residents are at the end of their tether with the illegal dumping taking place here. Could she also ensure that an information leaflet on waiver entitlements be issued in this area. Details: Darley's Terrace, Cameron Street, Eugene St, Maxwell Street, Fingal Street which are all of Cork Street/Donore Avenue"

ANSWER:
"CCTV cameras are used to capture offences against the Litter Pollution Acts at locations where vehicles are used in the commission of an offence. This office has discussed the issue of placing CCTV cameras in the Cork St. Buildings area with our Security Company. The litter problem at this location is largely caused by a significant number of residents who insist on dumping household waste on the street on a daily basis. As vehicles are not used in the commissioning of the vast bulk of offences on these streets, CCTV systems would be of limited use and would constitute a poor use of limited resources. The Security Company also pointed out that as the only available mounting points are relatively close to ground level, cameras could be subject to anti-social activity and the City Council liable for the cost of replacing expensive equipment.
Residents have already been distributed with waiver forms in recent months and advised on how to apply. Approximately 12 applications were received subsequently from this area."