Dear Resident,
I am writing to provide you with some information on local issues which may be of interest to you. I work closely with Councillor Ray McAdam and Patrick Martin on all local matters. Please contact us if we can be of help to you or your family.
MOVING FORWARD WITH ST. BRICIN’S PARK RENOVATION WORKS
Councillor Ray McAdam and I have been working to ensure that Dublin City Council proceed with the renovation of the St. Bricin’s Park housing complex. Following the collapse of the Circle Housing’s redevelopment plans. Dublin City Council committed to undertaking extensive refurbishment works to the St. Bricin’s Park Housing complex. The City Architect has now finalised alternative plans which will see the amalgamation of two of the current flats into unit that will result in the provision of 35 one bedroom units. City Councillors have now agreed to initiate the planning process which will allow these works proceed. Upon receiving planning approval, the Council will then have to select a contractor to complete the works. It is envisaged that work will begin on site before the end of the summer. This project will cost €1.6m and funding will be made available by the Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government. If you have any questions or queries about this project, please contact either myself or Councillor Ray McAdam and we will do our best to answer those questions.
UPDATE ON O’DEVANEY GARDENS
Many residents have asked Councillor Ray McAdam and I about the future of the O’Devaney Gardens site. To date, nine of the thirteen blocks in O’Devaney have been demolished. Of the four which remain, one is vacant and other three are partially occupied. The sites on which the now demolished blocks formerly stood have been fenced. Where the fencing has been breached and unauthorised access been possible to the vacant sites, repairs have been arranged quickly. Steps have been taken to reinforce fencing throughout the complex in an effort to eliminate the potential for joy-riding and drinking parties to occur. Gardai from the Bridewell and Council officials will continue to closely monitor the site and where any problems with anti-social behaviour arise, remedial measures will be considered.
REPORT ON PLANS TO RENOVATE THE CROPPIES ACRE
The City Council and the Office of Public Works have yet to reach agreement on proceeding with the preliminary design proposals to re-open the Croppies Acre. As you know the City Council has now taken on the responsibility of the park and prior to Christmas, officials from the Parks Department lodged detailed design works that would see improved accessibility to the park for all potential users. The Parks Superintendent has advised me that upon conclusion of these discussions, a report will be provided to me outlining the cost of these works and how long it is expected to take to complete. Both myself and Councillor McAdam will work to keep you updated on this matter.
GARDA ROLL-OUT OF SMALL AREA POLICING PLAN
The roll-out of small area policing across the Inner City is underway. This new policing plan became operational from February 1st last and will be rolled-out by all four local stations by the end of March. This initiative will see local districts, like Stoneybatter for example, being sub-divided into smaller areas whereby a Community Guard would be responsible for policing between 250 and 300 properties. Each Community
Garda will call to every home within their area, introduce themselves as the officer for that street and provide their contact details to residents in each property. In effect, the community guard will become the first point of contact for local communities with the Gardai. The Chief Superintendent has further advised me that each sectoral area will be headed by a Sergeant and an Inspector who will report to the Chief Superintendent on a monthly basis. The introduction of small area policing by the Gardai represents the closest level of policing to a community that can be undertaken and I believe that it will have two hugely positive implications. Firstly, it will mean that there is a dedicated Garda team of an Inspector, Sergeant and ten Community Officers patrolling and serving communities across the north-west inner city. Secondly, having an even more visible Garda presence will provide the re-assurance the community needs that streets in the district are being policed and that officers know what is going on in our local communities.
FIRST REPORT PUBLISHED INTO PRIVATELY RENTED PROPERTY INSPECTIONS
The first report of the City Council’s Environmental Health Section into its inspection work of sub-standard privately rented properties across the city makes for grim reading. Following an initial inspection of 268 separate properties across six districts in the city, including the North Circular Road, a total of 1801 bed-sits were found. More than 90% of these units were found not to be in compliance with the law. Only 174 units met the minimum standards as set down in the 2008 & 2009 regulations. 46% of the total number of these units was found along the North Circular Road. To date, the Council has served 11 prohibition orders on a number of landlords and it is expected that prosecutions will be initiated against those who fail to carry out sufficient improvement works to their properties. Substantial changes are required in the laws governing the privately rented sector as the ratio of people living in rented accommodation to buying their own homes changes over the coming years. New legislation in this area is expected to be published later this year.
REMINDER ABOUT SAME DAY BIN COLLECTIONS
The new City Council Bye Laws governing the presentation and collection of household and commercial waste came into effect from Monday last. One of the most significant regulations included in the Bye Laws is the introduction of ‘Same Day Bin Collections’. This means all waste collection operators will have to remove presented household rubbish on the same day across a given district. For residents in the North-West Inner City, bin collection day will be Tuesday, irrespective of which operator you have been signed up to. I am working with Fine Gael Councillors to ensure that the Council undertakes a greater level of street cleaning following the full implementation of these new laws.
NORTH-WEST INNER CITY COMMUNITY FORUM
The next meeting of the North-West Inner City Community Forum will take place on March 12th next in the Holy Family Parish Centre, Prussia Street. The meeting will begin at 7pm and will be chaired by Councillor Ray McAdam. Officials from Dublin City Council and local Gardai will be in attendance to answer any questions or queries posed by residents.
NATIONAL SPRING CLEAN 2014
This year’s National Spring Clean will take place between April 1st and 30th. Any community group or residents’ association seeking to take part in this year’s event can find out more information about the registration process at www.nationalspringclean.org. Alternatively, interested groups can call 01 400 2219. Officials from the Public Domain Unit of Dublin City Council have assured me that the Council will be supporting An Taisce and any groups taking part by supplying equipment and removal services for community clean ups.
Should there be any local or national matter where I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact myself, Councillor Ray McAdam or Patrick Martin and we’ll do whatever we can to help.
Yours sincerely
PASCHAL DONOHOE TD
MINISTER FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
FINE GAEL – DUBLIN CENTRAL