CONSTITUTION HILL MATTERS – January 2019

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL HOUSING COMPLEX RENEWAL PLAN
As you know Dublin City Council published Phase 1 of its Estate Renewal Plan last March. That programme outlined details of initial plans to refurbish, redevelop and enhance some of the 240 housing complexes across the city. These projects will require funding from Government. In the North Inner City, that programme includes plans for Constitution Hill, Dorset Street, Matt Talbot Court, Dunne Street and Gardiner Street. The Council has submitted funding applications for four of the five complexes to Government which are now presently being examined. With specific regards to Constitution Hill, the City Council is already advancing procurement and tendering procedures enabling Stage 2 of the redevelopment process to proceed. At the January meeting of the Housing Committee, I sought clarity from Council officials as to plans to renovate and to improve the quality of housing for those residing in other complexes the city and particularly in the North Inner City – Kevin Barry House, St. Michan’s House, Henrietta House, Chancery House, Marmion Court among others. Officials have confirmed to me that a multi-disciplinary team comprising of architects, planners and housing personnel have completed a technical study of how these complexes can be enhanced and additional homes provided. Separately, a Condition Survey of 17,000 homes will be completed by the end of March. A full report detailing the future refurbishment plans for each complex will be published in April. Myself and Minister Paschal Donohoe have been working closely with officials on this matter for the past number of months and we will work to keep you updated on progress in delivering and ultimately implementing these plans.

SF CITY COUNCIL ALLIANCE CUTS FUNDING TO TACKLE LITTERING & ILLEGAL DUMPING
The Council’s Waste Bye Laws governing the presentation and collection of household and commercial waste were updated this month, details of which are available on http://www.RayMcAdam.com. While I welcome these new regulations, it is somewhat ironic that Sinn Fein, Labour, Green and Fianna Fáil Councillors called for more litter bins, better enforcement of waste regulations and improved clearing of bottle banks and bring centres. Why so? For these parties approved a City Council Budget for 2019 which cut the amount of money to be spent on the operation of our Recycling Facilities, our Litter Warden Service, the provision and improvement of Litter Bins, enforcement of our Waste Regulations as well as reducing the money available to implement the Waste Management Plan. Sinn Fein and their partners in Labour, Fianna Fáil and the Greens continue to speak out of both sides of their mouths on this issue. Tackling illegal dumping and littering requires a multi-facet response but the Sinn Fein Council Alliance in refusing to invest in the enforcement of waste regulations or the provision of new litter bins is not one of them. If re-elected with increased Fine Gael numbers, my party will work to ensure that litter and waste enforcement is properly resourced and that litter bins are located where we need them and that recycling facilities and bottle banks are cleared more efficiently.

O’DEVANEY GARDENS – Construction progress report
Construction work is proceeding well and on schedule for the first 56 new homes being built on O’Devaney Gardens. Carey’s Construction Ltd are also finalising a new road layout on site as part of the redevelopment works. As you know palisade fencing was erected prior to Christmas adjacent to where the former blocks stood opposite homes in Montpelier Gardens in an effort to discourage illegal dumping. With regards the building of the further 640 new homes on site, those contractors involved in the tendering process have until the end of February their tender applications to Dublin City Council before the successful tenderer is selected and the Development Agreement approved. The report from the Community Consultative meeting that took place in the Ashling Hotel has been circulated to the Consultative Forum and we will be discussed that next week. Following that meeting, I would be happy to share that report with you. If you would like a copy, please email me at RayMcAdam@gmail.com.

BRIDEWELL POLICING MATTERS
Prior to Christmas, I chaired the North Inner City Policing Committee meeting in City Hall. At the meeting, I secured a report from the Gardaí detailing actions and initiatives undertaken throughout the last three months of 2018. The Chief Superintendent confirmed that a feasibility study is being finalized for the installation of new CCTV in Smithfield Square. Dedicated Public Order patrols have been put in place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Operation Pump remains in situ with high visibility patrols to target drug dealing with 635 searches taking place under the Misuse of Drugs legislation. Operation Thor patrols have been continuing. Between July and mid-December, 1203 Proactive Patrols took place. In addition to the 75 Garda allocated to the area since April 4th, another 17 officers started in the Dublin Central Division on December 3rd. A further 11
Sergeants and Inspectors have been deployed across the local policing districts. In recent days, I have been following up with the Gardaí to ensure that extra visible patrols are put in situ to reassure homeowners from the risk of burglaries and to step up Operation Kerb once again due to concerns about increasing prostitution occurring. Please get in touch with me at RayMcAdam@gmail.com if you have any questions or queries arising from the details outlined above.

NORTH INNER CITY PROJECTS SECURE GOVERNMENT FUNDING
15 North Inner City clubs, organisations and projects have secured more than €143,000 in funding through our Fine Gael Government’s Community Enhancement Programme. Across the country, more than 3000 separate projects are benefitting from €12.5 million in funding. In the North Inner City, Minister Ring has confirmed to me that funding has been approved for groups including Ana Liffey Drug Project, Carmichael Centre, MACRO Centre, Smithfield Boxing Club and The Complex. This announcement is further evidence of Fine Gael’s commitment to supporting the communities of the North Inner City so that all our citizens can achieve their full potential across a wide range of areas.

GRANGEGORMAN PROJECT UPDATE
– SITE PROJECTS UPDATE
o Major New Access Opens: Grangegorman Links with Constitution Hill.
The new pedestrian/cyclist link between Grangegorman and Constitution Hill was officially opened in November. This link in its current format is temporary until site development in that area is completed. The initial opening hours for the link are Monday – Friday, from 7am – 4pm and on Saturdays, from 7.30am – 2pm. I have been advised by the Grangegorman Development Agency that it intends to expand these opening hours soon.
o DIT Central and East Quads (PPPs).
Work is progressing on schedule for both quads which will bring 10,000 students to Grangegorman once completed.
– UPCOMING PLANNING APPLICATIONS
o DIT Academic Hub and the Energy Centre
The GDA submitted its planning application to Dublin City Council before Christmas for the DIT Academic Hub, which will form the centralised library for DIT and include the protected structure known as the North House as part of the build. The Energy Centre is expected to be lodged shortly.
– D7 EDUCATE TOGETHER SCHOOL BUILDING – UPDATE
Construction on the new school building is anticipated to commence on site shortly.
– NEXT PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT
Work is starting on the designs for the HSE Residential Care Neighbourhood (formerly Community Nursing Unit) and the DIT West Quad (for the College of Business).

LISBURN STREET HEALTH CENTRE – PLANNING UPDATE (4238/18)
The Planning Department of Dublin City Council has determined that additional information is required of the Health Services Executive (HSE) before final decision is taken on whether to grant planning permission. Extra information has been sought in respect of three separate areas, including:
1. Clarification on what the building is currently used for and its future intended use.
2. The opening hours for the planned future use of the building.
3. Sharing the rationale for the provision of a new access point to the building on Coleraine Street.
The HSE had six months from December 17th last to submit this additional information. I can now confirm that this information has been shared with the Planning Department of Dublin City Council. If you have any questions or queries arising from the details outlined above, contact me at RayMcAdam@gmail.com.

ACCESS TO APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME
The Access to Apprenticeship Programme is aimed at young men and women aged 16 to 24 living in Dublin who experience social and economic barriers. The Programme provides an opportunity for young people to;
• Sample a range of apprenticeships in; Construction, Engineering, Electrical, Motor and Aviation industries
• Prepare their CV and interview skill
• Undertake two weeks work experience
• Health & Safety and Safe Pass Certificate
• It is a 12 week full time course commencing in April 2019.
The purpose of the programme is to progress young people into apprenticeships. The closing date for applications is Friday the 8th of March 2019 at 1p.m. I strongly recommend starting the application as soon as possible as it could take some time to get the required documentation together. Once applications are completed please send them to;
• Therese Fitzgerald, Programme Officer Access to Apprenticeship, TU Dublin Bolton St (Formerly DIT Bolton St), Dublin 1, D01 K822.
For anyone interested in future intakes you can register your interest by following this link: http://www.dit.ie/colleges/collegeofengineeringbuiltenvironment/accesstoapprenticeship/
If you have any queries re the Access to Apprenticeship Programme or the application form please contact accesstoapprenticeship@dit.ie or ring (089) 219 3691.

SEAN FOSTER PLACE – Contractor selected
I can confirm that finally, four years after funding was initially allocated by our Fine Gael-led Government, Dublin City Council has secured a new contractor to build 30 new homes on North King Street. The new Sean Foster Place housing complex will be located on the site of the current park. It is expected that the contractor will begin works on site within weeks. Both myself and Minister Paschal Donohoe will work to keep you fully updated of progress on site.