COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE/FIRHOUSE/BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

QUESTION NO. 11

QUESTION: Councillor Carly Bailey

To ask the Chief Executive for an update on hedge cutting for both local electoral areas-for such a report to outline what hedgecutting has already taken place and what is planned to take place and when such works might be carried out and for the Chief Executive to outline what factors determine what areas will be cut, how decisions will be made on this and whether those doing so have adequate biodiversity training.

REPLY:

While hedge cutting is permitted to take place from September 1st in accordance with the Wildlife Act, this work in fact usually commences in late October/early November due to the continuation of the grass cutting programme to around that time.  Hedge cutting has taken place to date at the following locations, with most of this work carried out in November.  The Council has 5 tractor mounted flails operating across the County and it is intended that all outstanding areas will be cut before the Wildlife Act prohibition commences on March 1st.  In general areas are being cut once per year however the Council has now introduced a reduced cutting regime in Tymon Park to enhance biodiversity in the park and this was a recommendation made to the Council by the green flag judging committee.  This approach may be adopted in other parks in time to come.