YOUR COMMUNITY UPDATE 

A chara,

Christmas is almost upon us and there is a great sense of hope and anticipation in the air! It contrasts greatly with our experience of this time last year, and it has hard to believe that twelve months ago, we were facing into a very different type of Christmas. It has been a busy month and I’ve been working on a number of different issues which you can see outlined below. I hope that you and your loved ones have a lovely Christmas, and I look forward to working with you in 2023.

Beir bua!

Shane

Council Capital Plan for next three years presented

The Council’s Capital Plan for the next three years was presented to the Council this month. This plan sets out the Council’s construction and development programme for the next three years, including development of social and affordable housing, cycle infrastructure and new community facilities. One really exciting development is the significant investment that is planned for the 12th Lock area in Lucan for which I’l share further information in January. I am pleased to see a number of projects which I campaigned for included in the plan. These include an additional €300,000 for redevelopment of Quarryvale Park, funds set aside for acquisition of land to enable a cycleway using the Silver Bridge, €150,000 for additional allotments in the County, €150,000 for development of a columbarium in Esker Cemetery and provision for solar panel installation on community centres. The full plan can be found here(under H-1(12)). 

Warehouse Planning Application refused at Foxhunter

The planning application to build a distributor warehouse behind Hermitage estate has been rejected by South Dublin County Council. The Council refused it on a number of grounds, including the adverse impact it would have on visual amenity, the adverse impact it would have on traffic at the junction and the conflict it would create with the BusConnects plans for that area. I welcome this decision as it makes sense and is consistent with the County’s Development Plan

Policing in Palmerstown

As a member of the Joint Policing Committee for South Dublin County, I have been providing input into the Policing Plans for the coming years. One of the major points I have made is for the Palmerstown area to be covered by one Garda sub-district, rather than split between two. This would also enable better working between the Garda Siochána and South Dublin County Council in addressing issues around anti-social behaviour. If you have views on what other steps could be taken, please let me know.

Lighting at Griffeen Valley Skate Park working normally

I’m happy to report that, following many representations and requests, the evening lighting in the Griffeen Valley Skate Park is working as normal. There was an issue with the incoming power supply which has now been addressed. The skate park is a really valuable resource, and combined with the new Teen Space at Esker, provides important amenity for our young people. Thanks to all those folks who raised this with me.

Tree Maintenance Plan for 2023-2025 presented

At this month’s Area Committee Meeting, we formally adopted management’s recommendation for the Tree Maintenance Programme for 2023 – 2025. I am happy to have secured long overdue tree maintenance works for many estates in Lucan, Palmerstown and North Clondalkin, following representations from local residents whom I have met on my walkabouts in the area. These include Abbeydale, Abbeywood, Hermitage Way, Earlsfort, Rochfort, Mount Andrew, Riverside Drive, Turret Road and Ballyowen Lane. I will be calling for speedy implementation but this is a very positive development. You can view the full list here.

BusConnects Meeting – 5th January 

The National Transport Authority has published its proposal for the Lucan to City Centre Corridor Scheme. You can see the full detail at https://lucanscheme.ie. Submissions can be made to An Bord Pleanála between 2 November 2022 to 11 January 2023. I will be holding a meeting on the 5th January at 7:30 pm in Ballyowen Community Centre to go through the proposed changes for Lucan, Palmerstown and the approach to the City Centre. If you would like to attend in person or online, please let me know.

Public Realm Update

Over the past few weeks, I have been working on various issues around the area to improve the appearance of our public spaces. These include repair of bollards at Harelawn Park, clearing of paths around Balgaddy and removal of illegal dumping near Earlsfort. I am also continuing to pursue the planning enforcement issues around the boundary between Mount Andrew and St Edmunds. The developer has complied with the planning permission, and I am now asking the Council to follow up on their side.

Kishogue Station Update

I am extremely frustrated with the slow pace of action to get Kishogue Train Station up and running. I have been consistently been raising this issue since being elected. This is the most recent update received from the NTA: “During 2021 Irish Rail undertook a series of inspections, condition surveys and assessments with a view to bringing Kishogue station into passenger service. This identified a quantum of works that were necessary to bring the building into compliance with up-to-date technical requirements, current operational arrangements and to also address some degradation of the building / platform fabric due to vandalism, theft, wear & tear, weather and animal/bird incursions. Irish Rail have recently issued a tender related to the Civil and M&E aspects of these works. Subject to awarding this contract, works are expected to commence at the station Q1 2023. It is anticipated the station will brought into passenger service by the end of 2023.”
I am also pleased to see that the Airport Hopper Service from Liffey Valley to Dublin Airport is back in action – you can find further information here.

 Courses at North Clondalkin Library

Do you know someone who would benefit from building their confidence in reading, writing or spelling? Perhaps you know someone who would like to build some starting digital skills? Or do you know someone for whom English isn’t their first language? If you do, check out these courses at North Clondalkin Library – call 01-4149269 for more information and booking.

Ballyowen Castle Community and Youth Centre AGM

Ballyowen Castle Community Centre will hold its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 11 January at 7:30pm in the Community Centre. I currently chair the Board of Management and am working with South Dublin County Council to re-launch the facility in the New Year to ensure maximum community usage. New members of the Board are always welcome, so please come along if you can. The Community Centre is located beside Centric Health and Giraffe Childcare in Ballyowen Shopping Centre (adjacent to Lidl). You can like the Community Centre’s Facebook page for further updates here.

Connect with me on social media!

Would you like to join Shane’s team?

If you would like to influence Fianna Fáil policy, make your voice heard and support my work in delivering strong local representation for our community, let me know and please consider joining Fianna Fáil and delivering for our local community.

WORKING WITH OUR DUBLIN MEP