Dublin City Council launches first ever Drone Strategy

Dublin City Council has launched its first Drone and Urban Air Mobility Strategy.

The strategy will cover 2024-2029.

A statement from the Council read  “increasingly drones are being applied across a range of city services helping to increase service efficiencies, reduce costs and streamline operations. Areas where drones are being applied within the Council include mapping, dangerous buildings inspections or emergency response.   They are also being used to access to hard-to-reach areas for surveys and environmental monitoring, providing better oversight and management of urban spaces.

Eileen Quinlivan, Assistant Chief Executive and Chair of the DCC Drones High Level Steering Group of Dublin City Council said “this strategy marks a significant milestone for Dublin City Council. By embracing drone technology, we are not only enhancing our service delivery but also paving the way for a smarter, more sustainable city.”

“Drones will revolutionise how we approach various tasks, from emergency response and infrastructure inspections to environmental monitoring and urban planning. The benefits for our staff and citizens are immense, and we are committed to ensuring that Dublin remains at the forefront of this urban innovation.”

A new dedicated Drone Unit is being established in the Council to centralise drone operations and support internal departments to accelerate the adoption of the technology. This unit will build on existing capabilities and resources and maximise efficiencies across the Council. The unit will also play a role in supporting innovation in the drone industry by helping develop new services that benefit citizens and communities as the commercial sector grows.

Jim Gavin, Chief Operations Officer in the Irish Aviation Authority, expressed his support of the Strategy:

“The Irish Aviation Authority is very supportive of public sector bodies developing drone strategies. We are delighted to support this initiative by Dublin City Council to develop their drone strategy where they will drive innovation and development in the drone sector,” he said.

“By harnessing the potential of drones, Dublin City Council is taking proactive steps to enhance public safety, improve efficiency, and foster economic growth. We believe that this initiative will pave the way for advancements in urban air mobility, benefiting both the public and the broader aviation industry.”