COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

QUESTION NO. 15

QUESTION: Councillor Peter Kavanagh

"To ask the Chief Executive if he will report on the implementation of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan in the Clondalkin Area, with regard to areas signposted as "managed for biodiversity" which have now been mown and cleared. To further ask if these areas will be planted with wildflowers and other native plants to encourage biodiversity?"

REPLY:

As part of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, specific areas of grassland in our parks and along some roadside verges were selected in 2019 for a reduced mowing regime.   This reduced frequency of grass cutting allowed wildflowers to flower and set seed, providing additional opportunities for pollinating insects which are currently challenged by habitat loss and chemical usage.  The use of the 'Managed for Biodiversity' signs assisted with spreading the message and the results have in general been positive.  Most residents supported the initiative and requests were received that other areas also be looked at for similar reduced mowing for 2020. 

In the general Clondalkin area in particular, areas in Corkagh Park, Ballymount Park, Bawnogue, and Kilcronan were selected for this altered mowing regime. 

As the season comes to a close, any areas that currently remain uncut will be mown before the end of the season, to remove all dead growth before next year's season commences. 

While other pollinator projects can be designed so as to specifically plant or sow wildflower meadows where none currently exist, the approach taken this year was to work with the existing soils and floral communities already occurring in the areas chosen.  This, in the long term, is a more cost effective approach and allows for better streamlining of ongoing maintenance patterns into the future.