COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 11, 2021

QUESTION NO. 25

QUESTION: Councillor L. O'Toole

To ask the Chief Executive to give a detailed report on the budget provided to biodiversity since the pollinating policy was adopted/initiated. to include expenditure to date per area and per project and details of pollinating projects that are budgeted for in each area.

REPLY:

The actions taken by the Council's Public Realm section under both the biodiversity and pollinator action plans fall under the two headings of maintenance of wildflower meadows and planting of pollinator friendly planting schemes in towns, villages, parks and public open spaces. 

In 2021 the costs associated with maintenance of the wildflower meadows in parks is approximately €100,000 and this relates to the cutting by specialist contractor of 139 hectares of meadows. 

In 2021 there were 10 pollinator friendly planting schemes included in the public realm improvement works programme across the county to a total cost of €69,000 for the year.  

It should be noted that this level of activity is increasing year on year as is the level of expenditure and this will continue to increase in the coming years.  The activity in these areas across all Council departments is being gathered under the climate action plan and this will give a more complete picture at the end of the current year and in future years,