I am delighted that the three Dublin City Council swimming pools that were under threat of closure, Sean MacDermott Street, Crumlin and Coolock, have been saved. Dublin City Council has secured €600,000 from the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport. This is very welcome news.
The survival of the pool in Sean McDermott Street is due to the commitment of the residents of the North Inner City who campaigned to keep their swimming pool open. During my term as Lord Mayor of Dublin last year, I prioritised saving the three swimming pools and together with Joe Costello TD we worked with local residents and groups to come up with solutions to save the pools. Indeed, I have even taken up swimming with Ger Toner's SOS Acqua Aerobics class.
The prospect of the pool at Sean McDermott Street having a secure future is wonderful news for the community.
The SOS Aqua Club which played such a vital role in saving the pool in Sean McDermott Street continues to operate and offers the following activities in Sean McDermott Street Swimming Pool:
Adult Swimming Classes: Mondays, 8.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. (€6 per class or 6 classes for €30)
Aqua-Aerobics: Tuesdays, 9.00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m. (€5 per sessions)
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
O'Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street Updates
It is now almost two and a half years since the proposed Public Private Partnership Regeneration Projects in O’Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street to be developed by McNamara collapsed (May 2008). Since then, Dublin City Council has been working to develop new plans to bring about much needed regeneration for the area. The City Council hopes to submit the final Environmental Impact Statements along with planning applications for the first phase to An Bord Pleanala for both projects in November.
Four blocks in O’Devaney Gardens were demolished in 2008. At its September meeting, Dublin City Council commenced the process for the demolition of a further five blocks in O’Devaney Gardens which will pave the way for the first phase of the new development to be carried out.
This will include the construction of 91 residential units (social and private housing) as well as the provision of a public park. The next stage of the development will be a mixed use commercial zone including a neighbourhood supermarket, smaller shop units, office space and community facilities and 29 residential units. The final phase of the project is for the development of 240 private residential units on the southern side of the site.
The overall height of the development will range from two to six storeys. It is anticipated that the first planning permission will be granted by late 2011, and that construction should start in 2012 with completion of the first residential units by 2013. I am a member of the O’Devaney Gardens Regeneration Board.
Joe and I are committed as both local residents and local public represenatives to continue to work with residents from the surrounding community and the residents of O’Devaney Gardens to ensure the delivery of a quality regeneration project which will provide the social and physical regeneration long promised and much overdue to the area.
The proposal for Dominck Street is to replace the current flat complex with a high quality mixed use development, to include approximately 180 residential units and community facilities, along with a variety of commercial uses. The height of the development will range from 3-6 storeys in total (or 2-5 storeys over ground level non residential/commercial use). The site will be developed in two phases. The first phase will be the development of 66 residential units including a community/neighbourhood centre on the cleared site on the eastern side of the street. The second phase will develop the remainder of the site with a mixture of private and social housing and commercial / non residential units.
It is hoped that the first phase will commence in 2011/12 and will be completed by 2014. The combined planning and construction timescale for the second phase is estimated to be from 2014 to 2019.
In the meantime we are working with Dublin City Council to resolve the issue of the continued employment of the Regeneration Workers on these projects to ensure that the valuable work of social regeneration can continue alongsie the physical regeneration.
Four blocks in O’Devaney Gardens were demolished in 2008. At its September meeting, Dublin City Council commenced the process for the demolition of a further five blocks in O’Devaney Gardens which will pave the way for the first phase of the new development to be carried out.
This will include the construction of 91 residential units (social and private housing) as well as the provision of a public park. The next stage of the development will be a mixed use commercial zone including a neighbourhood supermarket, smaller shop units, office space and community facilities and 29 residential units. The final phase of the project is for the development of 240 private residential units on the southern side of the site.
The overall height of the development will range from two to six storeys. It is anticipated that the first planning permission will be granted by late 2011, and that construction should start in 2012 with completion of the first residential units by 2013. I am a member of the O’Devaney Gardens Regeneration Board.
Joe and I are committed as both local residents and local public represenatives to continue to work with residents from the surrounding community and the residents of O’Devaney Gardens to ensure the delivery of a quality regeneration project which will provide the social and physical regeneration long promised and much overdue to the area.
The proposal for Dominck Street is to replace the current flat complex with a high quality mixed use development, to include approximately 180 residential units and community facilities, along with a variety of commercial uses. The height of the development will range from 3-6 storeys in total (or 2-5 storeys over ground level non residential/commercial use). The site will be developed in two phases. The first phase will be the development of 66 residential units including a community/neighbourhood centre on the cleared site on the eastern side of the street. The second phase will develop the remainder of the site with a mixture of private and social housing and commercial / non residential units.
It is hoped that the first phase will commence in 2011/12 and will be completed by 2014. The combined planning and construction timescale for the second phase is estimated to be from 2014 to 2019.
In the meantime we are working with Dublin City Council to resolve the issue of the continued employment of the Regeneration Workers on these projects to ensure that the valuable work of social regeneration can continue alongsie the physical regeneration.
Monday, November 08, 2010
Grangegorman: Extension of Deadline for Submissions (7th December)
The Government decision in September to proceed with the Grangegorman Project was most welcome. I am a member of the Grangegorman Development Agency and Joe Costello TD is a member of the Consultative Group. We have been working together for over ten years to help promote this project.
The deadline announced for submissions was originally 9th November. the Grangegorman Development Agency has issued a notice stating that "A number of wordprocessing errors in the Environmental Report accompanying the draft Strategic Plan have come to the attention of the GDA, and we have prepared a corrected version of that Report. In light of the above, the GDA has decided to put the draft Strategic Plan on public display for inspection with the associated Environmental Report, the corrected version of that Report, together also with the Appropriate Assessment Screening Report, for an extended period, during which interested parties continue to be, and are, invited to make written submissions or observations (or, if you have already made submissions or observations, further, or other, written submissions or observations), in relation to them others."
The new date for receipt of submissions is now 7th December .
Submissions can be made in writing to: Grangegorman Development Agency, St Brendan’s Hospital, Grangegorman, Dublin 7 or by email to communications@ggda.ie
Despite the many false starts and delays, some progress has been made: I was delighted to officiate at the opening of the new (temporary) school for D7 Educate Together at the end of my term as Lord Mayor of Dublin in June 2010. Also, planning permission has been granted for the replacement mental health facility in the Northwest corner of the site, at the North Circular Road. Enabling works had commenced on the site. However, the contractor for this development was Pearse Ltd who have recently gone into liquidation and therefore new contractors will have to be appointed.
Further information on the project is avaialbe at www.ggda.ie
The deadline announced for submissions was originally 9th November. the Grangegorman Development Agency has issued a notice stating that "A number of wordprocessing errors in the Environmental Report accompanying the draft Strategic Plan have come to the attention of the GDA, and we have prepared a corrected version of that Report. In light of the above, the GDA has decided to put the draft Strategic Plan on public display for inspection with the associated Environmental Report, the corrected version of that Report, together also with the Appropriate Assessment Screening Report, for an extended period, during which interested parties continue to be, and are, invited to make written submissions or observations (or, if you have already made submissions or observations, further, or other, written submissions or observations), in relation to them others."
The new date for receipt of submissions is now 7th December .
Submissions can be made in writing to: Grangegorman Development Agency, St Brendan’s Hospital, Grangegorman, Dublin 7 or by email to communications@ggda.ie
Despite the many false starts and delays, some progress has been made: I was delighted to officiate at the opening of the new (temporary) school for D7 Educate Together at the end of my term as Lord Mayor of Dublin in June 2010. Also, planning permission has been granted for the replacement mental health facility in the Northwest corner of the site, at the North Circular Road. Enabling works had commenced on the site. However, the contractor for this development was Pearse Ltd who have recently gone into liquidation and therefore new contractors will have to be appointed.
Further information on the project is avaialbe at www.ggda.ie
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Flood Warning: Risk of Coastal Flooding in Dublin this weekend – 7th and 8th November 2010
Press Release from Dublin City Council 4th November 2010
Motorists and property owners should be aware that there is a risk of coastal flooding in Dublin this weekend, advises Dublin City Council Local Flood forecasting agency. Dublin City Council has put in place a flood contingency plan to address this risk, in accordance with the City’s Emergency Plan. Car parks on the seafront at Clontarf and Sandymount will be closed from Sunday 7th until the evening of Monday 8th November. Motorists are advised not to leave cars in these areas, as they may be at risk from flooding, due to wave action. Local Road closures may be required and these will be identified closer to the weekend as more reliable weather forecasting is available.
The best available weather forecasts, in conjunction with the City’s tidal surge early warning system, suggest a severe low pressure off the west coast of Ireland in combination with southerly/easterly winds of 70km per hour gusting to 100km per hour over the coming days. This combination of high tides and low pressure increase the possibility of coastal flooding, particularly at high tide around midnight on Sunday 7th November and midday on Monday 8th November.
Normal high tides are predicted from Thursday 4th November to Tuesday 9th November. These high tides will not normally cause a coastal flooding risk unless accompanied by extreme weather.
Dublin City Council will start today to deploy temporary flood defences in potential at risk areas. Alerts will be issued through the radio and other media when more information becomes available.
Further reports will issue when more information is available. Advice on local flood protection for householders and businesses can be sourced from OPW at www.flooding.ie
Dublin City Council will continue to monitor weather predictions and update risk assessments in the coming days. The City Council is in close contact with Met Eireann, the Gardai and Health Service Executive so that all available information may be shared and necessary actions taken in accordance with inter agency emergency plans.
Ends
Motorists and property owners should be aware that there is a risk of coastal flooding in Dublin this weekend, advises Dublin City Council Local Flood forecasting agency. Dublin City Council has put in place a flood contingency plan to address this risk, in accordance with the City’s Emergency Plan. Car parks on the seafront at Clontarf and Sandymount will be closed from Sunday 7th until the evening of Monday 8th November. Motorists are advised not to leave cars in these areas, as they may be at risk from flooding, due to wave action. Local Road closures may be required and these will be identified closer to the weekend as more reliable weather forecasting is available.
The best available weather forecasts, in conjunction with the City’s tidal surge early warning system, suggest a severe low pressure off the west coast of Ireland in combination with southerly/easterly winds of 70km per hour gusting to 100km per hour over the coming days. This combination of high tides and low pressure increase the possibility of coastal flooding, particularly at high tide around midnight on Sunday 7th November and midday on Monday 8th November.
Normal high tides are predicted from Thursday 4th November to Tuesday 9th November. These high tides will not normally cause a coastal flooding risk unless accompanied by extreme weather.
Dublin City Council will start today to deploy temporary flood defences in potential at risk areas. Alerts will be issued through the radio and other media when more information becomes available.
Further reports will issue when more information is available. Advice on local flood protection for householders and businesses can be sourced from OPW at www.flooding.ie
Dublin City Council will continue to monitor weather predictions and update risk assessments in the coming days. The City Council is in close contact with Met Eireann, the Gardai and Health Service Executive so that all available information may be shared and necessary actions taken in accordance with inter agency emergency plans.
Ends
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
CITY COUNCIL MUST RETAIN REGENERATION WORKERS
Cllr Emer Costello has called on Dublin City Council to reverse its decision to terminate the employment of the two`local part-time Regeneration Workers at O’Devaney Gardens and one part time regeneration worker at Croke Villas, Ballybough, Dublin 3 by ceasing funding to the Regeneration Agency Community Technical Aid (CTA).
Speaking at the City Council meeting this evening, Cllr Costello stated that Dublin City Council had treated the workers, the Regeneration Board and the community with contempt. The Regeneration Board had not been consulted in relation to that decision. As Dublin City Council’s own representative on the O’Devaney Gardens Regeneration Board, she was stunned to learn second-hand of the decision to terminate the employment of the Regeneration Workers. Cllr Costello raised the issue at the September Central Area Committee and proposed the motion for the October City Council meeting calling on the City Manager to reverse the decision terminating the employment of the Regeneration Workers.
Cllr Costello stated that the Regeneration Workers provide an invaluable service to the communities. They provide essential linkages between the community and Dublin City Council. Following the collapse of the Public Private Partnership in May 2008, the Regeneration Workers from O’Devaney Gardens played a major role in calming the very volatile situation that existed there at the time. In addition, they worked with the local community to ensure the delivery of a viable new plan. Residents of Croke Villas, who were completely devastated by the collapse of that PPP, were not as fortunate as to have an alternative plan in place. However, Dublin City Council had agreed to develop a Local Area Plan for the area and the services of the Regeneration Officer in the community consultation would be pivotal in developing an inclusive and democratic plan. Over the past six years, the Regeneration Workers have devoted their lives to their communities, and in contrast the City Council’s treatment of them is completely cold and ruthless.
Cllr Costello stated that the figures in relation to costs of the workers produced by the City Manager were inaccurate. It was also very worrying that no effort had been made to negotiate with either CTA or the Workers on the costs involved prior to the decision being made. She called on the City Manager to withdraw the letter terminating the funding and to enter into negotiations with CTA, the Regeneration Board, the workers and the local councillors.
Cllr Costello completely rejected the Manager’s report that the work of the Regeneration Workers in O’Devaney Gardens is now complete as the Masterplan had been developed and a planning application would be sent to An Bord Pleanala in the coming weeks. She argued that the work of the Regeneration Workers at this crucial juncture was need more than ever. It would be crucial that the Regeneration Workers remain in place to guide the residents of O’Devaney Gardens through the public consultation process.
Moreover, the Regeneration Workers in both Croke Villas and O’Devaney Gardens made substantial inputs into the social regeneration necessary for the communities and that this work is still very essential in the communities.
The motion calling on the manager to reverse the decision to terminate the employment of the workers, proposed by Cllr Costello, was adopted overwhelmingly by the City Council. Cllr Costello is now calling for an Emergency Meeting of the O’Devaney Gardens Regeneration Board so that negotiations with the City Council can take place in a meaningful environment.
Speaking at the City Council meeting this evening, Cllr Costello stated that Dublin City Council had treated the workers, the Regeneration Board and the community with contempt. The Regeneration Board had not been consulted in relation to that decision. As Dublin City Council’s own representative on the O’Devaney Gardens Regeneration Board, she was stunned to learn second-hand of the decision to terminate the employment of the Regeneration Workers. Cllr Costello raised the issue at the September Central Area Committee and proposed the motion for the October City Council meeting calling on the City Manager to reverse the decision terminating the employment of the Regeneration Workers.
Cllr Costello stated that the Regeneration Workers provide an invaluable service to the communities. They provide essential linkages between the community and Dublin City Council. Following the collapse of the Public Private Partnership in May 2008, the Regeneration Workers from O’Devaney Gardens played a major role in calming the very volatile situation that existed there at the time. In addition, they worked with the local community to ensure the delivery of a viable new plan. Residents of Croke Villas, who were completely devastated by the collapse of that PPP, were not as fortunate as to have an alternative plan in place. However, Dublin City Council had agreed to develop a Local Area Plan for the area and the services of the Regeneration Officer in the community consultation would be pivotal in developing an inclusive and democratic plan. Over the past six years, the Regeneration Workers have devoted their lives to their communities, and in contrast the City Council’s treatment of them is completely cold and ruthless.
Cllr Costello stated that the figures in relation to costs of the workers produced by the City Manager were inaccurate. It was also very worrying that no effort had been made to negotiate with either CTA or the Workers on the costs involved prior to the decision being made. She called on the City Manager to withdraw the letter terminating the funding and to enter into negotiations with CTA, the Regeneration Board, the workers and the local councillors.
Cllr Costello completely rejected the Manager’s report that the work of the Regeneration Workers in O’Devaney Gardens is now complete as the Masterplan had been developed and a planning application would be sent to An Bord Pleanala in the coming weeks. She argued that the work of the Regeneration Workers at this crucial juncture was need more than ever. It would be crucial that the Regeneration Workers remain in place to guide the residents of O’Devaney Gardens through the public consultation process.
Moreover, the Regeneration Workers in both Croke Villas and O’Devaney Gardens made substantial inputs into the social regeneration necessary for the communities and that this work is still very essential in the communities.
The motion calling on the manager to reverse the decision to terminate the employment of the workers, proposed by Cllr Costello, was adopted overwhelmingly by the City Council. Cllr Costello is now calling for an Emergency Meeting of the O’Devaney Gardens Regeneration Board so that negotiations with the City Council can take place in a meaningful environment.
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