ARBOUR HILL / MONTPELIER / INFIRMARY ROAD MATTERS – MARCH 2012

24th May, 2012

Update from Councillor Ray McAdam working with Paschal Donohoe TD

TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF PROSTITUTION

Unfortunately, the problem of prostitution in the Arbour Hill and Montpelier area has got much worse in recent weeks. It has become apparent to me that this problem has particularly deteriorated since Christmas. I received a huge number of calls and emails from residents stating that prostitution is taking place on their street but even of greater concern in that this behaviour is going on in the middle of the day as parents bring their children home from school. At last week’s North West Inner City Community Forum, I spoke to local Garda officers about the need to effectively tackle this problem and how the Gardai can make better use of OPERATION KERBSIDE. Although this operation had been successful throughout 2010 and 2011, there is now a need to re-focus and re-organise this operation so that the recent increase in the level of prostitution is curtailed and those engaged in it are arrested and brought before the Courts. Paschal Donohoe TD and I will be speaking with officers across the coming days to ensure this occurs. Let me assure you that both of us will keep you updated of future progress in relation to this issue.

GULLY CLEANING

I continue to liaise with the Drainage Division of Dublin City Council to ensure that there is a regular programme of shore and gully cleaning in the Arbour Hill area. Recent streets that have had shores and gullies cleaned include:

  • Montpelier Drive: cleaned on November 25th: 9 of 9 cleaned
  • Montpelier Gardens: cleaned on November 28th: 16 of 18 cleaned
  • Montpelier Hill: cleaned on December 22nd: 6 of 6 cleaned
  • Montpelier Park: cleaned on December 6th: 37 of 40 cleaned
  • Sullivan Street: cleaned on December 20th: 4 of 5 shores cleaned
  • Kinahan Street: cleaned on December 20th: 3 of 4 shores cleaned
  • Infirmary Road: cleaned on December 2nd: 10 of 10 cleaned – from the Court up the hill
  • Black Street: cleaned on December 20th: 3 of 3 shores cleaned
  • Arbour Hill: cleaned on December 21st: 15 of 18 cleaned
  • Arbour Place: cleaned on December 9th: 4 of 4 cleaned
  • St. Bricin’s Park: cleaned on October 5th: 21 of 21 cleaned

If you are not satisfied with the level of shore and gully cleaning on your street, please let me know and I’ll arrange to have those shores cleaned. Please contact me on 086 847 1720 or raymcadam@gmail.com.

PROBLEM OF DOG DIRT ON OUR STREETS
There has been a notable increase in the amount of dog dirt on streets across the city. Unfortunately, the problem is particularly severe on streets across the wider Stoneybatter area. Dog-owners are legally required under the Litter Pollution Act to pick up after their dog should it litter the street. Sadly, too many dog-owners are ignoring this responsibility leaving footpaths in an unacceptably dirty condition. In an effort to tackle this problem, Dublin City Council will be running an awareness programme to highlight the need for responsible behaviour in this issue. The City Council has also presented a number of proposed amendments to the Litter Pollution Act and I understand these measures are under active consideration by the Department of the Environment.

MONTPELIER ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR DIFFICULTIES
A number of residents spoke to me earlier this week when I called to their homes about the continuous problem of anti-social behaviour in the area. Of particular concern to residents is the issue of youngsters gathering on the steps of to apartments on Montpelier Mews drinking and playing football until the early hours of the morning. This problem has been compounded by a number of attempted burglaries. As a result, I have been following up with the Bridewell and I hope that a more visible Garda presence on the beat as well as with mountain-bike patrols will help alleviate the problem.

GARDA VECHICLE PARKING
The issue of Garda vehicles parking on Infirmary Road and on nearby side streets continues to be raised with me by local residents. As I outlined to you in earlier newsletters, Dublin City Council has entered into negotiations with the Head of Accommodation of An Garda Siochana in relation to a possible lease agreement for use of a Council site just off Infirmary Road. The City Council has produced a draft agreement with terms and conditions that is currently being examined by An Garda Siochana. No official reply has been provided to the Council yet by the Gardai. I will continue to keep residents updated about developments in respect of this issue.

ABANDONED CARS
Some concern has been raised with me about a number of vehicles that have been left in the Infirmary Road & District area for a considerable period of time. Should you have any concerns about cars or any vehicles parked on your street and has been left there sometime, please let me know and I can arrange for the City Council and the Gardai to look into the ownership history and whether it has been taxed or not. Unfortunately, there have been a number of instances across the Inner City were vehicles have been effectively dumped in residential areas by their areas. Let me assure you that I will do what I can to prevent this area from facing the same problem.

LORD MAYOR’S COMMISSION ON ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
One of the most frequent queries raised with me by neighbours and members of the public is what are you going to do about anti-social behaviour? Unfortunately, it is a problem that too many communities experience in some form or other. The Lord Mayor recently established a Commission to examine the causes of anti-social behaviour and to study measures to alleviate the problem. Among the issues examined included early intervention and prevention, the misuse of alcohol and other drugs, alternatives to prison and education. The Commission has put forward a number of key recommendations to prevent anti-social behaviour and help offenders to change their behaviour. In particular, we have argued that the HSE’s Early Intervention parenting programme be rolled out as quickly as possible as well as some alternatives to prison including restorative justice and the introduction of on-the-spot fines as a strong deterrent against anti-social behaviour. If you are interested in more information on the work of the Commission, please get in touch with me.

MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET
The Budget announced prior to Christmas included changes to how the Universal Social Change will apply for those on low incomes. Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD announced that people will now be able to earn more than €10,000 before having to pay the USC. Fine Gael committed prior to the General Election to review the Universal Social Charge because we felt it was an unnecessarily punitive measure on people who could least afford it. I very much welcome this decision, as I believe it was help particularly low paid and part time workers. I know too many people who have refused jobs because the pay is only slightly more than the Jobseeker’s Benefit after the Universal Social Charge has been taken. The decision taken by this Fine Gael-led Government not to increase income tax was is also welcome. It is a decision informed by the same principle that seen us abolish the USC for the lowest paid.