COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE/FIRHOUSE/BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 09, 2020

MOTION NO. 20

MOTION: Councillor P. Kearns

That this committee calls on the manager to provide additional support to the park rangers during the current Covid 19 crisis. Following the recent easing of travel restrictions etc there has been a significant increase in anti-social behaviour in our public parks. I suggest that this could be alleviated with some short term supports.

REPORT:

The park ranger service has played a vital role for South Dublin County Council over the period of the Covid 19 restrictions in monitoring park usage and in particular the adherence of park users to social distancing requirements.  Where necessary the Council has augmented the number of staff on duty in parks particularly at weekends when the numbers using parks and the level of activity in parks have increased substantially over normal levels.  A small number of libraries staff were reassigned to these duties for a period of time also however these have now returned to their normal place of work.  Staff have also been assigned to cleaning and servicing of litter bins in parks on weekends to respond to the increased levels of usage.  The Public Realm will continue to respond to these issues in parks in a flexible manner as long as there is a continuing need to do so.