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SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 10, 2025

QUESTION NO. 17

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive for a detailed report regarding any plans to increase staffing in Public Realm given the huge amount of housing in SDCC?

REPLY:

There has been significant development across the county which has necessitated the provision of additional staff resources for the maintenance and upkeep of the new public realm areas and new and regenerated park developments.

A review of Public Realm staffing requirements took place in 2022 as part of the overall Council Strategic Workforce Plan, which considered the ongoing growth of the county and future service demands. Sanction was sought and approved for 25 additional outdoor staff within Public Realm operations. The key areas of work include cleansing, town and village centre maintenance, park ranger service, tree maintenance and planting, grass cutting, dog warden service, pitch and play spaces maintenance and new facilities management. In 2022 the Public Realm section consisted of 199 outdoor staff rising to 224 outdoor staff in January 2024.

The most recent staffing review took place earlier this year as part of the Council's Strategic Workforce Plan. This resulted in a submission to the Department proposing a further increase in the number of outdoor staff in Public Realm operations, on a phased basis over the next four years. A total of 31 additional posts have been submitted for sanction to the DHLGH.

The Council remains committed to maintaining high standards in the Public Realm and will continue to monitor service demands closely, bringing forward proposals as necessary, to ensure that growth across the county is matched by sustainable service delivery.