Removing illegal waste costs council €1.4 million

SOUTH Dublin County Council spends an average of €1.4m every year to remove illegally dumped waste around the county.

The figure was released in a response to a question by Tallaght councillor Dermot Richardson (Ind) at a recent area committee meeting.

While the council said it was unable to provide a figure for Tallaght specifically as per Cllr Richardson’s request, they did state that countywide the cost is €1.4m.

The council stated that it removes, on average, a total of 5,500 tonnes of illegally dumped waste and the cost of its removal includes collection, transportation and waste disposal at a licensed facility.

Cllr Richardson told The Echo about his frustration at the money the council has to spend removing the waste, and he highlighted blackspots for it in his constituency, in places like Hazel Hill.

“It’s a lot of money,” he said. “When people started having to pay for their bins, dumping got worse.

“In Hazel Hill it’s constant – the council removed dumped waste that was there recently and there’s more up there again.

“I know some people can’t afford bin charges, but it’s still not right to dump it.

“I think the council have to look at the cost [of removing the waste], because it’s a big amount that could be put to something else in the community.”

Over in Clondalkin, there are also issues with illegally dumped waste, particularly impacting St Cuthbert’s Park and Bawnogue Road.

Reacting to the figure released by the council, Clondalkin councillor Francis Timmons (Ind), told The Echo: “It’s horrendous.

“We do have an issue in some parts of Clondalkin, but there has been some improvement, and the council is quick to respond.

“We’re waiting on the use of CCTV to catch offenders, and I think that’ll be a huge deterrent.”

He added: “€1.4m could be spent on things that are much better than having to pick up other people’s rubbish.

“People need to cop on. People who dump don’t give a damn about the people who have to look at the unsightly waste.

“It’s a big figure, and I think people really need to think – people know who these people are who are dumping.

“They need to talk to them and tell them that money could be spent on community facilities, because it’s our money that’s being spent on this, it’s taxpayers’ money.”

A spokesperson for South Dublin County Council previously told The Echo they would be “very appreciative” of information from members of the public about illegal dumping.

The council can be contacted about this issue by phone on 01-4149000 or via email at info@sdublincoco.ie.