Dublin GAA's €250,000 Croker Windfall must target Training/Education Initiatives for Young Unemployed

Tuesday February 23rd 2010
As a Labour Councillor and a member of the Lord Mayor's Commission on Employment, I am calling on the Dublin County Board to do its bit to tackle the youth unemployment problem in Dublin.

Last week's announcement of a €250,000 windfall from the soccer and rugby internationals for every County Board in the country offers a unique opportunity for the GAA to contribute to more disadvantaged clubs and to formulate Training and Education Initiatives in the Community.

Many Premiership Clubs have initiated programmes in their local communities aimed at promoting training and education opportunities, and this extra funding from the GAA gives the Dublin County Board a unique opportunity to help get local unemployed young people back on their feet.

By providing free coaching courses for those who are looking to update their skills, the County Board would be benefitting those who are looking for new training opportunities and who wish to get motivated again after suffering the indignity of losing their job, or who are unable to find employment at all.

Such training modules could be expanded to include areas of marketing, event management and groundskeeping that are essential skills that the GAA have in abundance and could easily be shared.


Those clubs in disadvantaged areas who are struggling for funding must also be prioritised by the County Board, as they are continuing to promote a sense of local pride in their communities. Currently one in three young people in Dublin are unemployed. This funding gives the GAA a great chance to make a difference.

Cllr O Ríordáin Welcomes High Court Decision to Refuse Appeal

to Bar Code Nightclub

Labour Councillor Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has welcomed the High Court decision to refuse leave to appeal to the Supreme Court to the Westwood Leisure Club in Fairview which is challenging the An Bord Pleanala ruling on its unauthorised development.

'This Nightclub has remained an open sore in the Planning Landscape for the local community, as it was built without planning permission and is a symbol of perceived failings of the Planning Enforcement section of Dublin City Council' Cllr Ó Ríordáin.

'I am delighted that this long and exhaustive process has finally been put to bed and that Dublin City Council have been successful in its task in upholding the planning laws of the City. This should serve as a costly reminder to any developer that you cannot flout the laws of the city and expect to get away with it.' he continued.

'There are other issues of anti-social behaviour that have been associated with the area surrounding this club for a number of years now and I am thankful to the Council officials for pursuing this case so diligently. It is crucial that citizens believe in the system and this judgement underlines that fact that poor behaviour from developers will not be rewarded.' he continued.

February 2010

February 2010

Marino / Fairview Residents Issues

The following issues may be of interest to residents in Marino. If there are any further matters of concern to you that are not listed below, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time to discuss them.

Fairview Playground and Pavilion Update:
Residents will be aware that I have been lobbying continuously since my election to Dublin City Council for adequate changing facilities in Fairview Park and for a replacement playground.

As residents will be aware, the work on the Pavilion has commenced, as this facility will be a valuable one for local sports clubs and schools who frequent the playing pitches in Fairview Park. While the commencement of work on the Pavilion was welcome the future of the playground was less certain.

I am delighted to inform you that the following e-mailed correspondence has been received from the City Council Assistant City Manager Philip Maguire in relation to the funding of the playground:

5 February 2010
Dear Councillor,

I am pleased to inform you that city Council has received notice of its National Roads Authority capital Allocation for year 2010; there is sufficient scope within the allocation to cover the agreed €1.6m for reinstatement of Pavilion & Playground at Fairview Park.. As previously stated we are currently specing the Playground & we will put it out to tender ASAP after completing a local commumity consultation process and finalising tender documents & design drawings.
Philip Maguire
Assistant City Manager

Council Matters in Marino:
Please see below a copy of the recent question I tabled to the City Manager in relation to various issues in Marino. As you will see, the City Manager has committed to reinstating the bollard at the junction of the Malahide Road and St Aidan’s Park Road:

Question to City Manager City Council Meeting 01/02/2010

Q70. COUNCILLOR AODHÁN O RIORDÁIN
To ask the Manager to address the following in relation to Fairview / Marino
· To have the bollard at the corner of Malahide Road and St. Aidan's Park Road reinstated
· To have the old stone road marking at the corner of Malahide Road and Griffith Avenue cleaned and restored
· To investigate measures. to prevent speeding on the Malahide Road, especially on the stretch between Fairview and Donnycarney, especially during the night.

CITY MANAGER’S REPLY:
1 This bollard will be replaced by road maintenance in the coming 8-10 weeks.
2 Road Maintenance Services Division examined this location. No works will be carried out at this location as we are prioritising dangerous hazards and this stone does not pose a hazard.
3. This matter will be referred to the local Gardai requesting random speed checks on the stretch of road between Fairview and Donnycarney and enforcement of existing speed limits.

Contact: Shane Satell, Executive Engineer – 2222297
Mick O’Loughlin, Senior Executive Engineer - 2222134