CLONLIFFE & BALLYBOUGH MATTERS – February 2024

LIDL BALLYBOUGH: Construction to get underway!

I want to confirm to you that the proposed LIDL redevelopment of the former Annesley Motors site on Ballybough Road is going ahead. Both Minister Paschal Donohoe and I met with senior LIDL personnel this week who confirmed to us that the company is proceeding with the construction of a LIDL supermarket on the Ballybough Road site. LIDL is investing more than €15m in Ballybough that will see in excess of 30 permanent jobs created. In addition to the supermarket, a cafe and two retail units will also be built. Paschal and I have been engaging with LIDL over the last two years, arguing the importance of this project for Ballybough and we are thrilled with today’s confirmation that the redevelopment of the former Annesley Motors site is about to start. Works are set to begin on site next week with the demolition of the existing structures before construction begins in earnest. LIDL, I am informed, expect the building programme to last approximately twelve months. The company will be circulating further details across the coming days. If you have any specific questions or queries arising from the details outlined above, please get in touch with me, on WhatsApp at 086 847 1720 or by Email at RayMcAdam@gmail.com.

CROKE VILLAS COMMUNITY MEETING – February 8^th

Further to my update on the Croke Villas redevelopment, prior to Christmas, I want to confirm that Dublin City Council is organising a community consultative meeting next week. The purpose of this meeting will be for City Council Housing officials to share details with you about the revised plans to redevelop the Croke Villas site and to provide information to you on the number of homes to be built, the height of the building and the other services that will be provided. This community meeting will take place on:

Thursday, February 8th, 2024,

Between 4.00pm and 7.00pm.

G.A.A. Handball Centre, Sackville Avenue, D03 P6E5.

I look forward to seeing you in the Handball Centre on Thursday night week (February 8th) and to get your views and opinions on the revised plans for Croke Villas.

FAIRVIEW PARK – My plan for a cleaner and safer park

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.

ORCHARD ROAD DEPOT HOUSING PROJECT

In December, I met with the Dublin City Council officials to discuss the Housing Department’s plans to redevelop the Orchard Road Depot site. I wanted to understand how changes introduced in the Dublin City Development Plan 2022 – 2028 will impact proposals for senior citizens housing on the site. Both the Council and representatives from FOLD Housing have been working directly to prepare a draw up a new development proposal based on these changes. It is my expectation that a revised plan will include the linking of the existing Tom Clarke House complex with the depot site. It is unlikely that any housing will be built behind existing homes on Tolka Road. No costings are available yet, but Council officials have indicated that the drawings and detailed designs of the revised housing plan for the Orchard Road site will be shared locally by Easter. As YOUR local Councillor, I am doing everything I can to keep you updated. Text me on WhatsApp (086 – 847 1720) or Email me (RayMcAdam@gmail.com), if you have any questions about the information detailed above.

DEPOSIT RETURN SCHEME – COMES INTO EFFECT: FEBRUARY 1^st

Since 1 February 2024 you can 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 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.

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.

ROYAL CANAL GREENWAY – Phase 3 Works Plan

In January, I met with the City Council’s Active Travel Unit requesting a detailed programme of works planned for this year as part of Phase 3 of the Royal Canal Greenway Project. Attached below is information shared with me at that meeting: