North Strand recycling centre closer to being controlled by council

Plans to bring the recycling centre at Shamrock Terrace on the North Strand under Dublin City Council control have moved one step closer.

The most recent meeting of the North Central Area Committee found that a hybrid model, whereupon Dublin City Council would provide day-to-day operations at the facility and waste management was managed by a third party, was the most feasible option.

Independent Dublin City Council member Nial Ring said “at the meeting,  we were given a report where waste management services confirmed that they had employed consultants to undertake a feasibility study and cost-benefit analysis to gain a better understanding of cost, pros and cons of operating civic immunity sites.”

Of the options outlined at the meeting, the hybrid model was found to be the most cost-effective.

“I pointed out that it is absolutely morally right and appropriate that Dublin City Council employ the workers on a direct labour basis, so that none of them are exposed to agency contracts and zero-hour contracts. In addition, the recent Public Sector Pay Agreement includes strong protection against outsourcing, particularly labour,” Ring said.

“Although waste management services have indicated that they wish to continue with the current model, myself, and my fellow councillors must be listened to, and it is my intention to ensure that the Hybrid Model is put in place as soon as possible.”

“Everyone acknowledges that this is the right thing to do and I will have no hesitation in using any and all available powers we councillors have, such as a Section 140 motion which we used to save the Grangegorman Centre, to make sure this is done” he added.

The centre was previously threatened with closure in 2022, but following a campaign by Ring and local residents, the decision was reversed.

Ring said he lobbied for three years to ensure that no downgrade of services at the North Strand Centre took place, but now was the time for Dublin City Council to show how serious they are about combatting climate change.

“The logical progression for Dublin City Council now is to show that they are serious about climate change and recycling facilities by managing and maintaining the centre themselves and, more importantly, directly employing the staff that keep the centres open.”