Galway Bay fm newsroom - Galway City Council has voted in favour of appointing full-time wardens to enhance the city's main parks and playgrounds.
The motion, which was brought before the Council by Fianna Fáil's Imelda Byrne, calls for wardens to be on the ground in Merlin and Terryland parks and Barna Woods during day time hours, seven days a week.
Before a vote was taken on the motion at this week's Council meeting, Councillors were informed that under the proposal the park wardens would be tasked with maintaining the amenities and providing educational biodiversity tours for visitors and not policing anti-social behaviour as was earlier discussed.
Independent Councillor Declan McDonnell proposed amending Councillor Byrne's motion to include all the city's playgrounds and the amendment was carried after a roll call vote.
Speaking ahead of the vote on the amended proposal, Director of Services for Housing Dermot Mahon reiterated his earlier warning that there is currently no additional funding for the service in the Local Authority's budget.
Mr Mahon told the meeting, the service would require hiring and training roughly five employees and would cost in the region of €250,000, which would have to come from somewhere in the existing recreation and amenities budget.
He added that the Local Authority would still need permission from Government before hiring additional staff.
The motion was carried unanimously by all Councillors and a financial proposal for its implementation in 2022 will be presented at the Council's annual budget meeting later this year.
