COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 08, 2021

MOTION NO. 13

MOTION: Councillor L. Dunne

This Council calls on Chief Executive to pilot a Pollinator Planting Scheme similar to that of the bulbs not bonfires initiative whereby community groups can avail of planting to plant in green spaces in their respective estates.

REPORT:

The Bulbs not Bonfires Scheme continues to run annually as part of the Council's response to issues arising at Halloween.  This is part of the wider Social Credits Scheme which is operated by the Council's Environmental Awareness Section.  In response to the suggestion here, and to similar requests received, consideration is being given to changing the type of bulb provided to participants in the scheme.  To date the Council has issued daffodil bulbs only and these can continue to be provided to community groups who request these.  Where a group requests pollinator friendly bulbs it is proposed that crocus, snowdrop, allium and other bulbs can be supplied.  The Council policy is to map areas of biodiverse planting and in time this mapped information will be made available to the public.  The assistance of community groups who plant such areas will be requested in this mapping process, so that the Council's grass cutting programme can be organised to work around the areas which are planted by community groups.

The Council's work to increase biodiverse planting and to provide pollinator friendly areas is continuing in accordance with the actions and objectives set out in the Pollinator Action Plan.  A total of 145 hectares of parkland will receive reduced and managed grass cutting in 2021 and this is an increase of approximately 50% on the area managed in this way three to four years ago.  The Public Realm Section will carry out further pollinator planting schemes in 2021 to add to those planted in recent years.  Seven such schemes have been included in the 2021 Public Realm Improvement Works Programme which ws agreed by the Council at the February meeting.