Concerns with difficulties getting through to South Dublin County Council

WITH the easing of restrictions on October 22, local representatives are hopeful this will lead to more direct communication with local authority staff.

It has been difficult at times for residents and councillors to get through to South Dublin County Council, but Mayor Peter Kavanagh, believes staff have been “working hard, just the nature of work has changed.”

“The council never fully applied working from home. Workers have always remained on site, where possible. At the moment we are looking at a staggered return to work,” said the Mayor.

The Echo understands an internal SDCC poll revealed 75 per cent of council staff asked to remain working partly at home.

SDCC told The Echo they would not be commenting when asked about the poll, nor what is the current breakdown of staff working at County Hall, Tallaght.

On September 6, Dublin City Council held a hybrid full council meeting (26 Cllrs attended in person, 36 attended remotely), however, the full SDCC meeting this week was mostly conducted remotely, bar the attendance of the Mayor and council staff.

Cllr Deirdre O’Donovan (FF) “doesn’t understand the delay” and is seeking “clarity” from SDCC.

“Seven councillors from SDCC, including myself, are attending the Dublin Leinster Regional Health Forum at the Bridge House Hotel, Offaly, on September 21,” said Cllr O’Donovan.

“It makes no sense that we can turn up to one, but I can’t go to my own council. Nothing compares to being-in-person, you can go up and talk to a manager about an issue that was voted on, debated, or if something was said that needs clarification.”

Lucan Cllr Liona O’Toole (Ind) agrees, preferring “that way it was as a local rep” to “meet and communicate in person” with council managers.

“I’ve noticed in the last couple of weeks, difficulty in getting through. I don’t know if it is changing technology or phased return to work, but I’ve always commended the council and never had an issue,” said Cllr O’Toole.

DCC said it’s staff are working on a “blended basis, mixing on-site and remote working.”

It envisages a phased return to work locations for all staff over the coming months, in line with the government regulations and restrictions.