Kildare County Council Exceeds Government Funding To Tackle Invasive Species

Wednesday, 15 January 2025 09:37

By Martin Osborne

Government funding of €55,000 was allocated to the council to tackle the problem but it had to spend an additional €15,000 of internal funds.

Kildare County Council spent over €70,000 tackling invasive species over a four year period.

Over €8.5 million was spent across all councils from July 2020 to August 2024.

According to The Journal Investigates, the top three spending councils over those four years were Mayo, Cork and Meath, with total spends of approximately €1.28m, €950k and €814k, respectively.

Kildare County Council spent more than the Government funding received, and used internal funds to make up the difference.

Government funding of €55,000 was allocated to the council to tackle the problem but it had to spend an additional €15,000 of internal funds.

Giant hogweed’s sap causes severe burns, rhododendrons overrun forests, blocking native growth, and Japanese knotweed grows through concrete, damaging property.

Invasive species, including plants and animals like sika deer, American mink, and zebra mussels, spread intentionally or accidentally.

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