Dublin’s four local authorities provide a host of services to make the city and county a great place to live. Each authority provides the same essential services, simply catering to its own constituency. You can find out more about each authority by visiting their individual websites:
Dublin City Council
Tel: 01 222 2222
Email: customerservices@dublincity.ie
Fingal County Council
Tel: 01 890 5000
Email: customercareunit@fingal.ie
South Dublin County Council
Tel: 01 414 9000
Email: info@sdublincoco.ie
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
Tel: 01 2054700
Email: info@dlrcoco.ie
Business Services
Each council’s business support unit allows residents to avail of a range of business-related services, advice and information. These include planning permission, rates, building regulation enforcement, the issuing of licenses, guidance on commercial rates, tenders, casual trading, advertising, growing or starting your business, payments, permits and licensing and more.
Housing and Community Services
The councils’ role in relation to housing and community services is huge. They ensure that that Dublin’s citizens have appropriate accommodation in safe and integrated communities. They do this by supplying social housing, advising tenants and landlords on the rental market, and supporting those who require housing welfare and social work services.
Culture and Amenities
Dublin City Council’s Culture and Amenities Services provide the city’s public libraries, sports and recreation facilities, public parks and arts facilities. They are involved in a number of new projects including the City Cultural Quarter, the Richmond Barracks restoration and the Temple Bar Project. They also coordinate the city’s calendar of events.
Similarly, the other three councils provide a range of services encompassing libraries, beaches and public spaces, sports and the arts scene, including artists’ residencies and festivals.
Emergency Services
The City Council oversees the work of Dublin Fire Rescue and the Emergency Ambulance Service, the largest full-time fire brigade in Ireland, which provides emergency services to the entire city and county of Dublin.
Environmental Services
Dublin City’s Environmental Services safeguards the city’s cleanliness and biodiversity. It manages rubbish collection contractors, water treatment and natural spaces. They can even help you clear garbage from your property and upgrade your plumbing.
The environmental branches of each council are where you get in touch if you have any queries relating to issues such as waste, recycling, burial grounds, conservation, biodiversity and animal control.
Planning Services
The City Council’s Planning Services arm is responsible for ensuring that the city remains sustainable and liveable as it continues to grow. The Dublin City Development Plan (2016 – 2022) outlines the Council’s vision for the city’s future, and Planning Services is entrusted with delivering it. Their myplan.ie software can help you see how your property fits into the Council’s plans.
The planning services units are the local authorities on areas including applying for planning, searching for a planning application, council properties and vacant sites, planning permission, local heritage and more.
Roads & Transport Services
The City Council collects motor taxes, organises parking, establishes cycle lanes and conducts roadwork through Roads and Transport Services. Its online portal allows you to tax your vehicle online.
The three county councils provide information on areas such as traffic, parking, roadworks and closures, public transport, road bye-laws, road safety, winter weather updates, public lighting, traffic lights and more.
