COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 13, 2020

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor Carly Bailey

That this council calls on the Chief Executive to review and reform current training, existing practices as well as methods of cross and inter-department communications in order to ensure that the needless destruction of natural environments, whether protected or not within the South Dublin County jurisdiction (a recent example being the Wetlands in Sean Walsh Memorial Park) can never happen again.

Further that all areas currently protected or in discussion as being protected would be brought to the public's attention by way of a page on the council's website or similar and regular updates given to councillors and all departments within the council. Such a review and reform ought to include ways to ensure that all departments are kept up to date about issues of this nature.

Proficient biodiversity training for all staff members, whether directly employed by the council or by private operators appointed to carry out work on behalf of the council should also be provided if this is not already being done.

Training should be provided to every staff member whether involved in the initial decision making or in the subsequent work of cutting, planting, digging, moving, replacing, spraying or any other work that comes into contact with the natural environment. 

Signing up to the All Ireland Pollinator Plan and other similar initiatives should also be considered if not already done so.

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council recognises its staff as a key resource and provides training opportunities for staff members to enable them to exercise and to develop their knowledge and skills.  Training and development of staff is carried out on the job, at formal "in house" courses and at courses provided by professional external training agencies.

South Dublin County Council also encourages and assists staff to take advantage of relevant further education at all stages of their career.  The Council provides a number of ways to achieve this objective.  Study leave, exam leave and financial assistance for course fees may be available if you pursue relevant further education.

Within the sector the Local Authority Services National Training Group (LASNTG), through its Roads, Water, Environment and Fire Services Training Groups, coordinates the development and delivery of training to the best international standards for all staff involved in the provision of services within these four sectors. The LASNTG provides this comprehensive training to Local Authority (and private sector) staff at 5 Regional Training Centres. The centre used by SDCC is the Ballycoolin regional training centre. SDCC closely liaises with the LASNTG, the 4 sub-groups and with the Ballycoolin training centre to maximise the training opportunities for staff.

SDCC employs professionally qualified staff at various levels of the organisation who are responsible for certain works and / or decision making, who are required as part of the recruitment process to have certain qualifications and experience. In addition, training is provided where required for work untaken by staff members that require additional knowledge or expertise. Many of the professional staff have on-going requirements for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as part of their professional qualifications. SDCC is an accredited CPD employer with an active and on-going CPD programme, meeting the highest standards in training and undergoing regular independent audits by Professional bodies to ensure that best practice is being followed.

Ireland aims to conserve habitats and species, through designation of conservation areas. This is required of Ireland under European and national legislation. The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for the designation of conservation sites in Ireland. The NPWS works with farmers, other landowners and users, and national and local authorities, trying to achieve the best balance possible between farming and land-use on the one hand, and requirements for conserving nature in these selected areas, on the other. 

The designation of protected areas subject to environmental protection is managed by The National Parks and Wildlife Service under the following protocol: Designation Process.

The mapping of these areas are available on the NPWS website at this location: Protected Sites.