COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 08, 2024

QUESTION NO. 20

QUESTION: Councillor M. Duff

Can the Chief Executive confirm if a standard "Park Ranger" four wheel drive vehicle will be visible in all of our parks?

REPLY:

The Council is finalising the implementation plan for its Fleet Decarbonisation Strategy which will support the council's commitment to a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050. To achieve this reduction, the council aims to introduce more electric vehicles and alternative fuelled vehicles into the council’s fleet.  The priority will be for vehicles that are fit for purpose and each vehicle type will be assessed for its ability to provide the operational requirement.  Four-wheel drive vehicles will only be considered in limited circumstances.

A number of vehicles are provided to park rangers on a communal basis and they also have access to other fleet vehicles which can be made available to them when required.  The provision of a four wheel drive vehicle is not considered necessary as for the most part the rangers can access all areas from the network of paths and roads throughout our parks.  There are in general no ground conditions within our parks which require this type of vehicle, if a situation arises where they do require such a vehicle then it can be made available to them by supervisory staff. In recent times park rangers have been provided with a number of electric bikes which they can use within parks and to travel from park to park and these are considered to give the ranger flexibility in this way.  The ebikes also assist the Council in the reduction of emissions.