St. Michan’s House Matters – Winter 2017

M.U.G.A. WORKS START DEFERRED TO JANUARY 2018
Dublin City Council has selected a contractor, KN Networks to undertake works on the redevelopment of the Fish Market site and to build the new Multi Use Games Area (M.U.G.A.). A significant aspect of these works will see the boundary wall between the Fish Market site and the courtyard in Blocks A & B in St. Michan’s House being demolished and rebuilt. At the City Council meeting on November 6th last, Council officials confirmed to me that the selected contractor “is expected on site in November with a 10 month build programme”. The purpose of the early start to the works was to ensure that the new play facility would be ready for the school holidays in June! However, the Markets Committee of Dublin City Council determined on Wednesday to defer these works beginning until after Christmas and agreed to open the car-park on Sundays throughout December. The Council has now agreed with KN Networks to begin on site on January 2nd next. The contract with KN Networks involves:
• The total removal of the boundary wall between the courtyard of Block A & B and the Fish Market site.
• Laying of new foundations.
• Rebuilding the wall with public lighting built into the wall.
The Multi Use Games Area (M.U.G.A.) will be situated against the St. Michan’s House boundary wall. Improvements to the quality of local footpaths along Mary’s Lane and the public realm will be carried out in conjunction with a revised layout for St. Michan’s Road. As Chairman of the North Inner City Area Committee, I have been assured that Council officials will meet residents in advance of Christmas to detail how the works will proceed and the arrangements that will be put in place for the duration of the construction work.

ST. MICHAN’S HOUSE IMPROVEMENTS – PLANNED 2018 WORKS
Throughout 2017, both myself and Minister Paschal Donohoe have met with the St. Michan’s House Residents’ Association to discuss issues that have been of concern to everyone living in the complex. We have sought to have these issues addressed collaboratively. For example, that is why the painting of St. Michan’s House took place this year. Your Residents’ Association highlighted it as key objective to be delivered this year and by working together, your neighbours, Paschal and I secured funding for those works to take place. Another issue that has been repeatedly raised by your Residents’ Association is the problem of dampness that too many St. Michan’s House residents are having to deal with in your homes. That’s why Minister Paschal Donohoe and I have been liaising with Housing Maintenance of Dublin City Council on behalf of a number of individual residents but also on behalf of every household in St. Michan’s House. I can confirm to you therefore, the initial condensation trials launched earlier this year will be expanded to include the entire Complex in 2018 as provided for the in the City Council Budget last week, which Fine Gael supported. It has also been confirmed that further filter-less fans will be installed throughout 2018 also.

POLICING MEETING – WEDNESDAY 22nd NOVEMBER @ 10a.m.
Further incidents of vandalism and anti-social behaviour were raised with me earlier this week. As Chairman of the Policing Committee in the North Inner City, I have been liaising with Superintendent Markey from the Bridewell to ensure more Community Reassurance beats are put in place by local Gardai in the vicinity of St. Michan’s House. Additionally, I sought for the Community Garda team in the Bridewell to meet with your Residents Association to outline what further actions can be taken to counteract these problems. Myself and other Councillors highlighted the problems being experienced by St. Michan’s House residents at the North Inner City Area Committee on Tuesday last and we agreed to invite the Gardai and all St. Michan’s House residents to a meeting in the Macro Centre on Wednesday (November 22nd) morning at 10am. I hope that you will be able to join us on Wednesday next.

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?
The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy. All adult residents in the city have the right to vote in Local, European and General Elections as well as Referenda. If you want your voice to be heard be voting, make sure that you are on the Electoral Register. Email me at raymcadam@gmail.com if you are uncertain as to whether you are registered and I can find that out for you. If you are not registered, I can send you a voter registration form which is easy to complete. The deadline for you to be registered at November 25th 2017. By making sure you are registered, you can ensure that your vote counts and your voice is heard at the next election or in forthcoming Referenda!

NEW CITY COUNCIL ONLINE HOUSING APPLICATION SYSTEM
Since October 24th last, Dublin City Council has established a new online system to allow applicants for alternative housing to track the progress of their application. This new online system enables applicants to view their position on the housing waiting list. If you have applied for alternative housing with Dublin City Council, you will be able to view your position on the relevant area list you applied for or whether you have a priority status on either medical or welfare grounds. Applicants can access this new system at http://www.dublincity.ie/HousingOnline by logging on using your Housing Application Number and your Date of Birth. Officials in the Housing Allocations Section of the Council have begun notifying all applicants that the new online system has gone live. If you have any questions or queries arising from the details above, please email me at raymcadam@gmail.com.

#SMITHFIELDLIGHTS 2017 – Smithfield Square, Sunday 26th November 2017
The 2017 Smithfield Lights event is back and bigger than ever! This is the main family Christmas event in Dublin and a must for all families looking for a night of fun, festive entertainment! Families can enjoy a wide range of children’s festive entertainment including face paints, workshops, a vintage carousel and an outdoor screening of classic Christmas movie The Snowman. There will be market stalls with a range of delicious foods, arts and crafts. The main tree lighting event will take place at 7.10pm, with VIP Santa himself in attendance. The event will be presented by MC Andrea Hayes and features music from the Stanhope Street Girls Choir, Red Empire and headline act The Riptide Movement. The event schedule includes:
• Market Stalls open at 3.00pm
• Snow Globe, Carousel, Children’s Workshops & Face Painting open at 4.00pm
• Screening of movie The Snowman at 5.00pm – 5.30pm
• Sam Maguire on display at 5.00pm – 6.00pm
• Performance from Stanhope Street Girls Choir at 5.45pm – 6.05pm
• Performance from Red Empire 6.15pm – 7.00pm
• Children’s Workshops & Face Painting finishes at 7.00pm
• Lord Mayor, Santa & The Riptide Movement switching on the Christmas lights at 7.10pm
• Performance from The Riptide Movement at 7.20pm – 8.00pm
• All Entertainment (Carousel, Snow Globe etc) finishes at 8.00pm
• Christmas Market remains open until 9.00pm

STABLE LANE FIRE BRIGADE DEPOT TO REMAIN….FOR NOW!
Local residents have contacted me expressing concern about the possibility of the Dublin Fire Brigade Depot on Stable Lane, just off North Brunswick Street being sold by Dublin City Council. These concerns arose because of the level of development taking place on sites located near to the City Council owned site. In order to address these concerns, I sought certainty on the matter from the Chief Executive and raised the issue at the November meeting of the Council. The Chief Executive’s response advised that Dublin Fire Brigade uses the site on Stable Lane for its workshop, garage, stores, laundry. The Fire Brigade also uses it for the sterilisation of its equipment and Ambulances. The reserve fleet is located at this facility. The Chief Executive has now confirmed to me that Dublin Fire Brigade will continue to use these vital facilities “until alternative arrangements are made”. I will continue to monitor developments in this regard across the coming months and will keep local residents fully updated.

DUBLIN CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN – STUDENT ACCOMMODATION AMENDMENT
Earlier this year, I was a co-signatory to a motion that sought to amend the Dublin City Development Plan 2016 – 2022 with regards to guidelines for the development of student accommodation within the city. This amendment contained a proposal to widen the area within which, applicants for purpose built student accommodation should submit evidence demonstrating that there is not an over-concentration of student accommodation within an area, including a map showing all such facilities within 1km of a proposed development site. The purpose of the amendment to the Development Plan was to provide clarity and enhanced level of information on the existing and proposed number of students living in the area. Despite, some opposition by political parties not representing the North Inner City, the amendment was successful. Therefore, future planning applications seeking permission for the construction of purpose built student accommodation will have to comply with the amended Section 16.10.7 of the City’s Development Plan, otherwise known as the planning rule book.