COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE/FIRHOUSE/BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

MOTION NO. 16

th MOTION: Councillor D. O'Donovan

That the Manager reports on the grass cutting schedule and what steps are being taken to ensure a quality service, during this Covid-19 Crisis.

REPORT:

In response to the public health emergency which commenced in mid March the Council's Public Realm Section initially implemented a system of staggered start, break and finish times for staff for the first two week period in order to minimise contact between staff members.  On the announcement of tighter restrictions regarding movement and social distancing from March 29th a staff roster was introduced with all staff working a day on/day off system which was intended to achieve a substantial reduction in staff numbers in operational depots which in turn would enable social distancing measures to be implemented.  This has remained in place for many staff however a group of 50 staff who are key to the grass cutting operation have returned to a 5 day roster from Monday April 13th. 

During the period from March 29th to April 13th the Public Realm section responded to cleansing tasks as a priority, all other tasks were put on hold during that period.  The return to a 5 day roster for the 50 staff mentioned enabled the grass cutting programme to commence on April 13th, however this was 3 to 4 weeks later than in other years. 

Good progress on the grass cutting programme has been made in recent weeks however, assisted by good weather, and it is hoped that time lost in late March and early April will be recovered in the coming weeks and that the two week grass cutting schedule which is implemented each year will be achieved in the coming weeks.  All other work remains on hold for now with all staff resources being assigned to either cleansing or grass cutting work.  Other work will resume in the coming weeks as restrictions are removed on a phased basis, in accordance with the national plan which was announced on May 1st.