COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 08, 2019

QUESTION NO. 38

QUESTION: Councillor E. O'Brien

To ask the Chief Executive to make a statement on the current policies regarding cutting of grass in estates in the County with particular regard to the current practice of allowing grass to grow for the promotion of biodiversity. Can the Chief Executive in particular outline the current frequency of grass cutting within estates and if grass is allowed to grow longer in certain areas or if the same policy is adopted across the County.

REPLY:

The target frequency for grass cutting is fortnightly cutting of grass in open spaces, grass margins and public parks while the target frequency for cutting of grass on playing pitches is weekly.  The Council's Public Realm Section makes every effort to achieve these targets through the grass cutting season.

South Dublin County Council manages 1,750 hectares of parks and open spaces and have been implementing a decreased mowing regime over the past number of years in some of our parks and in particular Waterstown Park and Tymon Park.  In recent years efforts have been made to establish grassland management regimes which will help to establish habitats for wildlife and nesting birds. 

In keeping with the Council's Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) it is intended that the Public Realm Section in conjunction with the Council's Heritage Officer will identify and map areas which might be suitable to a pollinator friendly management regime and which would involve less frequent cutting of grass.  This approach will form part of the Green Infrastructure Strategy which is identified in the CCAP as an action in the nature based solutions section of the plan.  In the meantime every effort will be made to cut grass verges, open spaces and parks in such a manner and at such a frequency that they are maintained in a presentable manner.