NORTH-EAST INNER CITY MATTERS – March 2019

FITZGIBBON STREET GARDA STATION – DETAILED UPDATE PROVIDED
Further to the update I shared after Christmas, householders sought further information on the refurbishment works taking place as part of the new Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station. The enabling works currently underway will be completed shortly. The major construction project will include:
• A full internal refurbishment and repair of the existing four storey over-basement building at 24 – 28 Fitzgibbon Street and at 30 Fitzgibbon Street.
• New internal walls, doors, new wall, floor and ceiling finishes as well as new sanitary facilities and fixed furniture items.
• As the building is listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Regional importance, a conservation approach will be a requisite of any building work.
• A new lift will be provided.
• The existing drainage system will be upgraded along with associated ancillary works.
• Landscaping works to the rear courtyard with car-parking facilities, including motorbikes, an oil tank and bin storage facilities.
• A new ramped access to the rear of the existing building is also to be provided.
Tenders for the main construction contract were published last week by the Office of Public Works. These works will ensure that the new station will be a victim oriented, community based entity which will include a community hub facility open to community groups. I hope this further information is of assistance to you. However, if you have any additional questions or queries arising from the details provided, please email me at RayMcAdam@gmail.com.

IMPLEMENTING NORTH-EAST INNER CITY GREENING STRATEGY
The Greening Strategy for the North-East Inner City has been formally adopted by the North Inner City Area Committee following the public consultation that concluded before Christmas. In addition to longer-term projects currently like the redevelopment of Mountjoy Square and Diamond Park, a programme of smaller scale greening projects will be undertaken this year. These five projects include:
• Greening of Belvedere Plaza – the junction of Belvedere Place with the North Circular Road.
• Guild Street Plaza – the junction of Sheriff Street and Spencer Dock.
• James Joyce Street tree planting.
• The installation of a Green-wall at Seville Place.
• Tree planting on a residential street which will be determined shortly.
€350,000 has been provided by the North East Inner City Project Implementation Board to fund these initial projects under the Greening Strategy. As and when work is scheduled to begin on these projects, I will be in touch to share this information with you.

RUTLAND STREET SCHOOL REDEVELOPMENT – PROGRESS REPORT
The Design Team hired by Dublin City Council to oversee the preparation of a planning application that will enable the redevelopment and refurbishment of the former Rutland Street National School presented the draft plan to the North Inner City Area Committee last month. That presentation marked the start of the formal planning process which ultimately, will see, those Councillors elected in May’s Local Elections; determine whether planning permission is approved later this year. In total, eight groups and organisations will be ‘housed’ in the redeveloped, including:

• New North Inner City Council Area Office
• Lourdes Youth Community Services (LYCS)
• Adventure Sports Project
• Dublin City FM
• North East Central Community Gardens
• Café & Community Hall
• Enterprise Incubator Unit
• Neighbourhood Youth project

It is envisaged that construction work will begin in November 2019 with an anticipated construction programme lasting 18 months. I know that promises were made in the past by politicians who circulated leaflets proclaiming the start of the redevelopment – but as we all know nothing ever materialised. This wasn’t the only project long promised but not delivered. I am proud that my party, Fine Gael, through the North-East Inner City Initiative, is now advancing this project and we will see it through to completion!

CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION FOR DUBLIN
Dublin’s four local authorities have joined together to develop Climate Change Action Plans 2019-2024, which outline the actions they will take in response to the climate change challenges facing Dublin. Each Dublin Local Authority has developed a detailed plan outlining the actions they will take in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. Dublin City Council’s Climate Change Action Plan identifies the main climate risks facing Dublin City and both the council’s and the city’s current levels of greenhouse gas emissions. It also outlines all the actions that are ongoing or planned within the council and these are grouped under five key areas – Energy & Buildings, Transport, Flood Resilience, Nature-Based Solutions, and Resource Management that collectively address the four targets of this plan:
• A 33% improvement in the Council’s energy efficiency by 2020
• A 40% reduction in the Council’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
• To make Dublin a climate resilient region, by reducing the impacts of future climate change-related events
• To actively engage and inform citizens on climate change
You can have your say on the City Council’s Climate Change Action Plan by making a submission online via http://www.dublinclimatechange.ie, by email at climateaction@dublincity.ie or by writing to Executive Manager, Environment and Transportation Department, Dublin City Council, Block 2, Floor 6, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8. The closing date for receipt of submissions is Monday 25th March 2019.

SUMMERHILL RE-SURFACING WORKS
The Roads Maintenance Department of Dublin City Council will be re-surfacing the stretch of Summerhill between Gardiner Street and Portland Row later this summer. I have worked to secure €856,000 to enable these badly needed re-surfacing works to proceed this year.

POPLAR ROW CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
The Oaklee Housing project on the former vacant site on Poplar Row opposite Ballybough House is progressing. In total, 29 new homes will be built and it is expected that these construction works will be completed by the end of 2019.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN TAKING PART IN A CONSTRUCTION SKILLS COURSE?
The Construction Skills Course operated by the Eastside and Docklands Local Employment Service runs several times a year and each course lasts for three weeks. The central modules include:

• Health and Safety in the workplace
• Site Maintenance
• Brick Laying
• Insulation

Eastside and Docklands Local Employment Services (EDLES) works with a number of well-known industry partners to place the graduates in to full-time employment upon their successful completion of the course. To date, EDLES has a 75% placement rate for all successful graduates. If you are interested in training in the construction sector, contact Jim Hargis, Employment Services Manager, on 01-6771930.

ESTATE RENEWAL PLAN – NEXT STEPS
As you know Dublin City Council, at the direction of our Fine Gael-led Government, has prepared plans for the refurbishment of City Council Housing complexes across the city. To date, plans have been advanced for Constitution Hill, Matt Talbot Court, Dunne Street and Dorset Street. I will be meeting officials next month to discuss what indicative plans have been prepared for North William Street, James Larkin House, Gardiner Street, Fitzgibbon Court among others. When those details have been shared with me, I will be in touch with households in each complex to update you.

FUNDING SECURED FOR CCTV & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS
The scourge that is illegal dumping was once again raised with me when I called to homes earlier in the month. How best can we deter illegal dumping? In my view, an approach of ‘NAMING & SHAMING’ through the erection of new CCTV and where images are clear, display posters with the images of those dumping. It has worked in other areas and its expansion, will; I believe reduce the amount of dumping in particular areas where it is a problem. With that in mind, I have worked to secure funding of €53,000 to upgrade and enhance the CCTV equipment available to Dublin City Council. I also secured another €50,000 for local projects involving residents and householders and the City Council to enhance or improve a street or an individual location.

MULTI-AGENCY ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT TEAM
The North-East Inner City Initiative Project Implementation Board has established a Multi-Agency Working group to tackle persistent and complex challenges associated with illegal dumping, waste management, litter and sub-standard rental accommodation. A broad range of services and agencies are involved including Dublin Fire Brigade, Environmental Health, An Garda Siochana, Revenue Commissioners, Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection and Housing, Waste Management and the Area Office of Dublin City Council. This Working Group will examine the various action steps that can be taken by each organisation and statutory body to ultimately tackle and deal with the illegal dumping, litter and sub-standard privately rented accommodation. I believe the establishment of this Working Group will be able to further build upon the progress undertaken with the Intensive Inspection initiative carried out by the City Council, Environmental Health the Gardaí between 2012 and 2015 where the quality of privately rented accommodation was enhanced due to better enforcement of regulations on streets like Sherrard Street Lower, Gardiner Street Upper, Gardiner Place, North Circular Road, Frederick Street North and Belvedere Place to name but a few.

NORTH-EAST INNER CITY COMMUNITY GRANTS 2019
I am happy to report that €41,125 worth of Community Grants will be made to projects and organizations across the North-East Inner City. These grants are designed to provide assistance to local areas and help support community development projects. Local groups set to benefit from these Grants in 2019 including Holy Child Pre-School Rutland Street Project, James Larkin Community Group, LYCS Creche, North William Street Parents, O’Brien Hall Youth Group, Richmond Cottages & District Residents & Tenants Association, Sherrard Avenue Residents Association and Summerhill Senior Citizens among others. Full details will be available on http://www.RayMcAdam.com from Monday.