COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 15, 2024

QUESTION NO. 9

QUESTION: Councillor E. Ó Broin

To ask the chief executive what measures he has in place to allow Red Squirrel's to reestablish in the county?

REPLY:

In South Dublin County, Red Squirrels are known to occur in mixed coniferous woodland habitats across the Dublin Mountains including Glenasmole Valley and the commercial forestry locations at Cruagh, Tibradden, Montpelier Hill, and Masseys Wood.

These commercial forestry woodlands are under the management of Coillte, and they form part of the long-term monitoring of mammals (including squirrels) being undertaken by Coillte for the Dublin Mountains Make-over Project.  It is expected that the data emerging from this monitoring will provide more information on the distribution and the health of Red Squirrels in this County and that it may also lead to recommendations on appropriate protection measures for this iconic species.

Generally, Red Squirrels no longer live in the urban areas of South Dublin County.  This is due primarily to a combination of the loss of suitable woodland habitat and the extensive presence of the very competitive non-native invasive Grey Squirrel which forces Red Squirrels out of their previously held territories. 

The removal of Grey Squirrels at this stage from the urban area would not be feasible due to the cost and given the extensive nature of the Grey Squirrel population. It is considered that the removal of Grey Squirrels would have a limited chance of being successful.  A trapping and culling programme for Grey Squirrels is therefore not being considered at this time by the Council. 

Once the monitoring data from the upland areas emerges however, there may be opportunities to assist with strengthening and reinforcing Red Squirrel populations in the mountains in conjunction with Coillte and other stakeholders.