Clamping blackspots in Dublin
by Cian McCormack
Motorists in Dublin are forking out millions in fines for illegal parking in the city.
In 2010, Dublin City Council collected €26 million from parking metres, and €4.5 million in fines for illegal parking in the city.
In the first four months of this year, almost 20,000 people (19,791) paid €1.5 million to have their cars de-clamped in Dublin.
Cars are most likely to be clamped on Jervis Street. 261 have been clamped there already this year - up until April. Each clamp release fee costs €80 meaning €20,880 has been collected from that street alone in fines.
Shelbourne Road follows in second place with 230 vehicles clamped there already this year, while Dominick Street Lower, Wellington Quay Street, and Ranelagh feature as the third, fourth and fifth clamping blackspots in the capital.
Last year (2010), 58,076 vehicles were clamped, costing motorists over €4.5.
Noel Purcell Walk was last year's clamping blackspot. 976 vehicles were clamped there. That cost motorists €78,080 in de-clamping fees. Shelbourne Road, Burgh Quay, Dominick Street Lower and Aston Quay followed as the second, third, fourth and fifth clamping black spots.
It costs more to provide the declamping service than the money it generates. Last year, €4.5 million was collected from de-clamping, but it costs nearly double that to run the service.
Dublin City Council confirmed it costs between €9 million and €10 million for the service, and that money is spent on: Dublin Street Parking Service's clamping service; Dublin Street Parking Service's parking metre maintence; Dublin City Council's small parking enforcement office.
In addition to the €26 million collected from pay and display: €880,000 was collected from private residential parking permits; and more money is collected from four car parks run by the council.
Parking permits cost €40 but there is a proposal with the city council's Transport and Traffic Committee to raise it to €50. However, councillors have to vote on the proposal.
Dublin City's clamping service is operated by Dublin Street Parking Services (DSPS) on Dublin City Council's behalf.
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