#EastWall Matters – January 2024

FAIRVIEW PARK – My plan for a cleaner and safer park
The first weekend of this year saw further vandalism and anti-social behaviour in Fairview Park. In response, I secured an emergency debate at the January meeting of Dublin City Council on the issue. We must have improved policing, better cleaning and a better public amenity for all. For the umpteenth time in the last twelve months, a motor vehicle was driven into the park, in large part due to the access changes made by the Parks Department of Dublin City Council. The playing pitches of Sheriff YC, Belvedere FC and East Wall Bessborough FC were vandalised and are now out of commission. I am working to secure their repairs. While this particular incident has left inner city soccer clubs devastated and young players without anywhere now to play their games, the wider issue of public safety in Fairview Park needs to be addressed. I have regularly highlighted this problem with the Assistant Garda Commissioner for Dublin and officials in the Parks Department of Dublin City Council for the last twelve months. While there are some improvements, particularly from a policing perspective, they have been short-lived. What is needed is an effective policing plan for Fairview Park, where officers from Clontarf and Store Street work together to rid the park of the blatant drug dealing and other anti-social behaviour taking place. Equally, we need the Parks Department and the Waste Management Section of Dublin City Council to get their act together and better maintain Fairview Park. I want existing bins emptied more regularly and additional bins installed. So many of you that have been in touch with me stressing just how reluctant you are to use it, primarily due to the lack of quality cleaning, upkeep and policing. We can do much better. I believe, on foot of my Emergency Motion, passed unanimously by Councillors, that we have the plan that the Gardai and City Council can follow and implement.

EAST WALL PRIMARY CARE CENTRE – TENDER PROCESS ABOUT TO BEGIN!
As YOUR local Councillor and through my membership of the HSE’s Regional Health Forum, I continue to make the argument for a Primary Care Centre to be located in East Wall. Such a facility could provide services like Public Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech & Language Therapy, Psychology, Dietetics plus much more. That is why I have urged the HSE’s Primary Care Division to liaise with Dublin City Council. Together, they can engage with developers currently managing development projects in the East Wall area with a view to identifying a location for the Primary Care Centre. The HSE have responded to confirm that it intends to tender for a new Primary Care Centre in the East Wall area via the HSE Operational Lease mechanism in the first quarter of 2024. This proposal has been flagged in advance to several developers who are delivering projects in the area. This confirmation is very much welcome, and I will work to further update you on the progress of the tender process in the coming weeks.

RUSSELL AVENUE PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Before Christmas, I shared details with you about consultation sessions organised by Dublin City Council to get your feedback on plans to improve and enhancement the Russell Avenue playground and adjoining streetscape. Those sessions were well attended but one of the significant concerns arising was the proposed removal of the football pitch beside the Recreation Centre. On foot of the concerns raised by you all about the loss of the football pitch, I sought political support at City Council for the retention of the football pitch. I am pleased to report that the motion was unanimously supported. The Parks Department was left in no doubt that the football pitch must stay. Senior Council officials confirmed to me in City Hall in recent days that the improvement project will go forward but there are now NO PLANS TO REMOVE THE PITCH! Dublin City Council’s Parks Department and the Landscape Architect for the project are finalising revised proposals which will be subject of a further consultation with Russell Avenue families. I understand that the Council will be seeking your feedback shortly. When those revised proposals are available to me, I will make sure to share them with you.

DEPOSIT RETURN SCHEME – COMES INTO EFFECT: FEBRUARY 1st
From 1 February 2024 you will be able to bring back your used plastic drink bottles and aluminium cans with the RE-Turn logo through the Deposit Return Scheme. This will reduce litter in our environment and help us increase our recycling rates. It is estimated that 5 million single-use drinks bottles and cans are consumed every day in Ireland. Drinks containers are typically consumed ‘on the go’ and are often thrown away in mixed waste or litter, instead of being recycled. At present, our recycling rate for ‘on-the-go’ bottles is only 23%. We must get this to 90% by 2029 to meet our recycling targets. That’s why your government introduced Deposit Return Scheme to help boost the recycling rate for these drinks containers. When you return your empty and undamaged bottles or cans you will receive your deposit back in cash or a voucher redeemable for cash at the shop you are returning it to. More information is available online at http://www.Re-Turn.ie.

ARE YOU RENTING? CLAIM YOUR RENTERS TAX CREDIT!
If you pay rent, you may qualify for the Rent Tax Credit. You can claim the tax credit for rent payments you made in 2022 or 2023 by making an income tax return. You can also claim the tax credit for payments made in 2024 if you are a PAYE taxpayer. The Rent Tax Credit will be available for the years 2022 to 2025. The maximum credit per individual is €750 and it is €1500 for a couple. The scheme has also been extended to allow parents claim the tax credit should they be paying for their child’s college accommodation. If you want more information on this scheme, please WhatsApp or Email me.

GREENING STRATEGY FOR EAST WALL
Last year, many of you who took part in my East Wall Matters Survey indicated you wanted to see a more targeted greening plan for East Wall. I can confirm to you that the Parks Department is completing a study which will guide how such a Greening Strategy in East Wall can be implemented. I expect to have more information for you on this project next month.

TRAFFIC CHANGES DUE TO NORTH STRAND ROAD WORKS
The ongoing construction work along the North Strand Road is having an impact on East Wall. This is something that I am acutely conscious of, and I am working with the Project Team to minimise the effect these works are having on East Wallers ability to access their homes and essential services. The current traffic arrangements at the junction of Poplar Row, North Strand Road, East Wall Road and Annesley Bridge Road is proving to be the last straw for many. I met the Head Engineer and Project Manager on Monday morning stressing the importance of the need for a quicker completion date for these works. The current traffic management changes in place until mid-March is unacceptable to me. The Council is now seeking to expedite these works. I will have a revised timeframe shortly and will circulate details then.

EAST WALL ROAD CYCLE SCHEME WORKS – UPDATE
Dublin City Council is seeking to improve walking and cycling facilities and provide safe crossings along a 1km route that extends from the entrance to the Eastpoint Business Park on Alfie Byrne Road along East Wall Road to its junction with East Road. A future phase of the project will continue along East Wall Road as far as the Tom Clarke Bridge (East Link Toll bridge). The current works along Alfie Byrne Road and East Wall Road, are as a result of public consultation that has been taking place since late 2021. This project also includes a “School Zone” in the vicinity of St Joseph’s Co-Ed National School including traffic calming measures and protected cycle lanes, something I have been liaising on with the school community. Since Christmas, works have focused on the islands at the corner of the East Wall Rd and Alfie Byrne Road Junction and then onto East Wall Road itself. New traffic islands are to be constructed at the junction of Church Road and East Wall Road. While surfacing works along East Wall Road are expected to be completed by mid-February, it will be the middle of April before the entire project is complete.

ARE YOU ON DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL’S HOUSING LIST?
Have you applied for alternative housing with Dublin City Council? Is Area H on your application? If so, you can apply now for new apartments in Railway Court, Railway Street, Dublin 1. The housing complex, once open will be managed and maintained by Circle Housing. Tenants of Railway Court will be selected through the Choice Based Lettings scheme. There are, in total, 43 homes to be allocated, including 7x 1-bedroom apartments, 27x 2-bedroom and 9x 3-bedroom apartments. The development features communal facilities at ground floor level alongside a landscaped residential courtyard and play area. While no car-parking facilities are provided, there are 52 bicycle parking spaces included within the complex. You can submit your application for Railway Court in two ways:

1. Complete an application form and drop it into the City Council Office on Sean McDermott Street.
2. Submit an application online at https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/housing/i-am-looking-home/choice-based-lettings.
   The deadline for your application to be submitted is Friday, February 2nd at 5pm. If you want a copy of the application or need help and advice on your application, please WhatsApp me at 086 847 1720 or Email me at RayMcAdam@gmail.com.