The organisation described the security patrols as a “pilot programme” that will hopefully allow it to remove the barriers along the canal, which have been in place since May.
A spokesperson for Waterways Ireland said the enhanced monitoring will be kept “under review”.
“It is part of Waterways Ireland’s efforts to fully reopen the canal amenity. Waterways Ireland remains seriously concerned for the safety and health of people staying in tents by the canal,” they added.
The spokesperson said they had met with representatives of local residents’ groups to listen to their concerns and to discuss how they may fully reopen the canal amenity.
“In order to achieve this, a number of options are being explored, including the acceleration of a landscaping and biodiversity programme of works,” Waterways Ireland said.
Two security personnel are currently working on behalf of Waterways Ireland, patrolling the area on a 24-hour basis.
Waterways Ireland said this is to “ensure health and safety and public health risks remain mitigated”.
The measure will also help them “notify gardaí of any issues in real time, to ascertain the pattern of when and how many encampments are taking place, and to advise any arrivals of the prohibition on staying in tents by the canal”.
Waterways Ireland declined to comment on the cost of the pilot programme, which involves having two security personnel monitoring the Grand Canal on a 24-hour basis.
The company previously confirmed it had received over 106 informal complaints regarding the fencing along the canal since their erection in May. The barriers cost approximately €6,560 per week to maintain, or roughly €26,000 per month.
Topics of the complaints include notifying Waterways Ireland of the presence of tents, requesting the removal of tents, requesting removal of fencing, reporting damage to the barriers, concerns about loss of amenity value, and queries about the schedule for the removal and replacement of the barriers with other solutions.
