COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

QUESTION NO. 9

QUESTION: Councillor B. Bonner

"There are reports of Japanese Knotweed at the Lexington site on the Monastery Road, Clondalkin.  What is the Council's policy on that invasive plant, and what action has been taken at the Lexington site in relation to it?"

REPLY:

"A programme to map the occurrence of non-native invasive species was initiated in 2016 by the Council's Heritage Officer in conjunction with Environmental Services, Planning and IT Departments.  A specially designed Phone App for the digital mapping and recording of invasive species in public spaces has been developed which will form the framework for a programme of treatment and management over the next few years. 

An Invasive Species Management Team has been established who are mapping and identifying locations for inclusion in the general maintenance schedule for 2017.  In addition, the programme is also to include a period of targeted spraying, cutting or removal (whichever technique is the most appropriate for different invasive species) during the correct season for these species e.g. September for Japanese Knotweed.

For Knotweed eradication a routine spraying of a site would need to occur over 4-5 years, the sites will be sprayed during a 4 – 6 week period around September of every year.  The resource provision will be reviewed annually in conjunction with the data that we receive from the mapping exercise."