2022 Progress Report of the Government’s North-East Inner City Initiative published.

Today, the Government accepted the 2022 Progress Report of the North-East Inner City Project Implementation Board at the Hill Street Family Resource Centre. I was pleased to join colleagues once again in marking the publication of this year’s report.

Today’s publication marks the sixth such Progress Report detailing the key actions being taken across the North-East Inner City to help improve the quality of life for our people and to enhance public safety and the surroundings upon which we live in. My colleague, the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe T.D. provided €7.5m in direct funding this year to help support the work done by the Project Implementation Board in co-ordinating key activities and initiatives that are being implemented across the North Inner City.

Across each of the six sub-group area, significant further progress has been delivered throughout 2022, including:

• The publication of a dedicated Adult and Community Education Strategy and appointment of an Adult Education Officer.
• The extension of Youth Project service hours for the area, funded by the NEIC Initiative.
• The expansion of the P-TECH programme to include two additional schools- Rosmini Community School and O’Connell’s Secondary School: and two new industry partners – Salesforce, and Iarnród Éireann.
• Funding provided to all 6 NEIC Post Primary schools for an After-School Study Programme. 
• The commencement of a full-scale redevelopment of Diamond Park.
• The formal opening of the expanded and refurbished St. Laurence O’Toole’s National School on Seville Place.
• 55 applications supported under the NEIC Community Grants Scheme.
• Significant resources dedicated to help tackle anti-social behaviour and drug related issues.
• The Social Employment Fund, funded by the NEIC Initiative, continued to support 55 posts to enhance local services in the areas of childcare, youth projects, eldercare, arts, and the environment.
• Significant funding provided for arts and culture events and programmes, including the Gospel Rising Festival at Mountjoy Square Park, and The Big Scream.
• The establishment of the first ever North-East Inner City Basketball club with both an under 14 Boys’ and an under 14 Girls’ basketball team.
• The development of a pilot community aftercare programme to support people who are leaving prison to engage with health services.
• The formal re-opening of Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station in July, marking the provision of a new Community Policing Hub and facility to be used by the local community.

As Chair of the Dublin Central Area Committee, I have been proud to work with Michael Stone, Chair of the North-East Inner City Project Implementation Board in ensuring that key projects that will benefit my constituents and those across the North Inner City. I look forward to seeing further initiatives like the establishment of a Community Hub in the former Rutland Street National School, the transformation of the D-Light Studios on North Clarence Street and working to expand the potential already available within the Hill Street Family Resource Centre.

Both Minister Paschal Donohoe and I are committed to continuing the delivery of projects identified through the Mulvey Report and will work with our colleagues across Dublin City Council and Government to ensure these initiatives are implemented over the coming months and throughout 2023.