I am writing to provide you with a short update on a request from local residents that a Pay & Display and Permit Parking scheme be introduced on Carnew Street & Finn Street.

Following the request by residents last year, the Traffic Advisory Group of Dublin City Council agreed to recommend the introduction of such a scheme on both streets. This decision was subject to a ballot of residents taking place. A ballot was recently organised by the Traffic Department and the results were:

• CARNEW STREET:
36 PEOPLE VOTED OUT OF AN ELECTORATE OF 71.
23 VOTED IN FAVOUR, WHILST 12 VOTED AGAINST THE PROPOSAL.
• FINN STREET:
38 PEOPLE VOTED OUT OF AN ELECTORATE OF 71.
20 VOTED IN FAVOUR, WHILST 15 VOTED AGAINST THE PROPOSAL WITH ONE 1 SPOILT BALLOT.

Therefore, following the result of the ballots on Carnew Street and Finn Street, Pay & Display and Permit Parking will become operational. However, the schemes will not come into effect until the end of SEPTEMBER because the Council is obligated to undertake a statutory consultation process with the emergency services first.

I hope you find this information beneficial, but if you have any questions or queries arising from the details outlined above, please get in touch with me. Should there be any other local matter where I can be of help to you, please contact me on 086 847 1720 or by email at raymcadam@gmail.com.

There are 2 closing dates. Please send completed applications along with all supporting documents by:

12 noon on Friday 6th July 2012
or

12 noon on Friday 7th September 2012 (note: earlier than last year)

If you are supporting someone who is applying, it is important to read the guidelines carefully as some eligibility criteria has changed since last year.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me on 086 847 1720 or at raymcadam@gmail.com

GULLY CLEANING
As indicated in previous newsletters, I regularly liaise with the Drainage Division of Dublin City Council to ensure that there is a regular programme of shore and gully cleaning in the Stoneybatter area. At my request, the Gully Cleaning team checked shores and gullies on Kirwan Street, Kirwan Street Cottages, Viking Road, Ard Righ Road, Niall Street, Ross Street and Norseman Place. These shores and gullies were checked on March 21st last and all were found to be in good working order. The Council are currently working to clean blocked shores on Thor Place, Finn Street, Halliday Square, Oxmantown Road and Manor Place. I expect these shores to be cleaned in the coming days. If you are not satisfied with the level of shore and gully cleaning on your street, please let me know and I’ll arrange to have them cleaned.

COMMUNITY GRANTS SCHEME 2012
The City Council will be approving allocations under this year’s Community Grants Scheme at the May meeting. More than €50,000 has been allocated to support community and voluntary work across a broad range of activities. The allocations are worth up to €500 to help fund local community improvements or community festivals. Nearly €2000 has been allocated to groups in Stoneybatter which I believe will be of great assistance to our community. Details of allocations to local groups can be found on www.raymcadam.com or by contacting me at 086 847 1720.

DUBLIN CITY NEIGHBOURHOOD COMPETITION
The Dublin City Neighbourhoods Competition is an annual competition for communities, schools and business organised by Dublin City Council. It is an Area based competition with categories judged initially before being selected to go forward to the citywide competition. The closing date for receipt of nominations is FRIDAY MAY 4th. Should you be involved in a residents’ association or group and would be interested in taking part in the competition, application forms or further information can be sought by contacting the City Council on 222 5315.

LOCAL AREA PLAN FOR STONEYBATTER
As you know during the Dublin City Development Plan process, I called for a statutory Local Area Plan to be compiled for the Stoneybatter area. This proposal was accepted and included in the draft Development Plan finally adopted by the Council. Officials from the Planning Department recently made a presentation to the Central Area Committee, which I chair. Details were provided about the process for the preparation of various Local Area Plans for districts across Dublin Central. Work will commence shortly on the Pelletstown and Hueston & Environs LAPs. Once these have been progressed satisfactorily, background work and a public consultation will then begin on the compilation of the Manor Street/Stoneybatter Local Area Plan. Such a plan will aim to address a broad range of planning and development issues impacting on the growth of our area. The policies and objectives of such a plan will have to adhere to the existing City Development Plan that will remain in place until 2017.

SCHOOL BUILING PROJECTS
Announcements made last month by the Government to invest in school construction projects and replace out-dated prefab facilities are very welcome. Both of these programmes will see the construction of new schools in the local area. New school facilities will be constructed for Gaelscoil Bharra, after a near twenty-year wait. Funding has also been approved for the construction of extensions to Dublin 7 Educate Together and the Stanhope Street Convent Primary School. These projects are due to be delivered during the lifetime of our Fine Gael-led Government. St. Gabriel’s National School on Cowper Street was recently informed by the Department of Education that it would be able to avail of funding to allow for the construction of a new classroom to replace a prefab classroom currently in use. Despite some of the difficult decisions being taken by the Government, it is heartening that money is being made available to ensure our children have the right environment in which to learn and grow.

GRAFFITI REMOVAL
The problem of graffiti across the Stoneybatter area continues to be raised with me repeatedly. In recent weeks, graffiti was removed by the Corporate Contractor employed by the City Council on Sitric Road, Viking Place, Ashford Street, Manor Street and Aughrim Lane. If there are problems with graffiti on your street, please let me know and I’ll arrange for the City Council to have it removed.

INCLUSION ON SUPPLEMENTARY REGISTER OF VOTERS
If you are not on the electoral register but wish to vote in the forthcoming Referendum on the EU Stability Treaty on May 31st, you will need to complete an application form to be included on the Supplementary Register of Electors. The deadline for completed forms to be received by Dublin City Council is Monday May 14th. Applications received after that date will not be included in the supplementary register. The latest date for receipt of applications for postal or special voters is two days after the formal announcement of Polling Day for the Referendum is made by the Minister for the Environment.

CITY COUNCIL REPONSE TO 2011 FLOODING
After three reports and numerous Council meetings, I believe that the response of Dublin City Council to the severe flooding which occurred last October was dreadful. The Drainage Division recently presented a briefing to the Central Area Committee, which I chair. Despite repeated assurances that this would be a comprehensive report outlining the measures required to reduce the risk of flooding in at risk areas of Dublin Central, it contained precious little new information. No engineering solutions were provided, no information about steps homeowners could take to secure their home was included and no explanation was given for what caused the flooding of certain parts of the city. As Chairman of the Dublin Central Area Committee, I could not accept this report, therefore I requested the Drainage Division to go back and answer the questions I put to them and then come back to the Committee with a more detailed response. Once this report is available, I will provide a copy to residents who wish to review it.

MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET
The Budget announced prior to Christmas included changes to how the Universal Social Charge will apply for those on low incomes. Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD announced that people would now be able to earn more than €10,000 before having to pay the USC. Prior to last year’s General Election, we committed to reviewing the charge because we felt it was an unnecessarily punitive measure on people who could least afford it. I very much welcome this decision, as I believe it will help particularly low paid and part-time workers. I know too many people who have refused jobs because the pay is only slightly more than the Jobseeker’s Benefit after the USC is taken. The decision taken by this Fine Gael-led Government not to increase income tax, rates or bands is also welcome and it is a decision informed by the same principles that saw the USC being abolished for the lowest paid in our society.

WATER CHARGES
There has been much talk in recent days about the introduction of water charges. Sadly, our Government made a mess of communicating clearly to people what is happening, why it is happening and how it will affect the public. I welcome the clarity that has now been provided. Irish Water which will be created to manage the water network will be managed by Bord Gais. It will be a public utility and will be in public ownership. No charges of any kind will be introduced until 2014 and there will be NO upfront charge for the installation of meters and NO VAT will be charged. There really is no excuse for failing to communicate these simple facts to you and I completely understand why people are annoyed that things were communicated in such a confusing way.

Dublin City Council’s Drainage Division is currently inspecting and cleaning all river screens throughout the City, in addition to monitoring how much rain has fallen. At 4 30 pm today (25th April) just short of 10 millimetres had fallen. Met Éireann have indicated to us that they expect a further 25 millimetres of rain up to 10 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Known flooding locations, which are being closely monitored, will continue to be monitored throughout the night. The City Council’s strategic stock of sandbags has been loaded onto lorries and ready for deployment, if required, throughout the night. Road gullies throughout the city are also being checked. There has been a small number of incidents of localised road flooding which have been cleared by our gully crews.

Water levels on the River Dodder are being checked on an ongoing basis throughout the day. At the time of the last check (4. 30 pm today), levels in the Dodder continued to be very low.

Dublin City Council’s Drainage Division is currently inspecting and cleaning all river screens throughout the City in addition to monitoring how much rain has fallen. At 2.00 pm today (25th April) so far just short of 4 millimetres has fallen today.

The City Council’s strategic stock of sandbags has been loaded onto lorries and known flooding locations are being closely monitored.

Road gullies throughout the city are also being checked without any problems being reported.

There have not been any calls to Dublin Fire Brigade.

The levels on the River Dodder are being checked on an ongoing basis throughout the day. It was last checked at 1. 35pm today. The levels in the river are very low.

The City Council’s strategic stock of sandbags has been loaded onto lorries. These will be deployed by Drainage staff if required.

Met Eireann has issued the following rain warning at 10:50 today 24th April 2012:

25 to 30 mm of rain is expected to fall in the period from 0600 Wednesday 25the April 2012 to 0600 Thursday 26th April 2012. It is possible that in excess of 25 mm will fall within the period 0900 to 2100 on 25th April 2012.
The predicted amount of rainfall is considerably less than that which caused extensive flooding over the City on the 23rd and 24th of October 2011 when close on 100mm of rain fell in a 24 hour period. Nevertheless Dublin City Council is monitoring the situation in liaison with Met Eireann and the emergency services. The City Council has also placed resources on standby to attend to flood locations that may arise. Gullies and river screens in flood prone areas are being cleaned and monitored during the warning period. The City Council will have a stock of sandbags placed on standby for strategic deployment. Owners of premises that consider themselves at risk of flooding are advised to make provision to defend their own premises. Advice on how to do so is available on the website www.flooding.ie

Extreme rainfall events, because of their nature are unpredictable in behaviour and as such pose flood threats to premises in all parts of the City. Householders are advised to listen to the radio or log onto the website www.meteireann.ie for weather updates from Met Eireann.

While there is no threat of tidal flooding the City Council as an additional reassurance to residents in the lower Dodder area will close the tidal gates at this location.

Please note that Dublin City Council is not in a position to provide sandbags.

Attached is a list of frequently asked questions that may be of assistance.

The Customer Services Centre will be open from 6.00 am on Wednesday 25th April to take calls – all calls should be made to 222 2222. The Customer Services Staff will log all calls received and pass them on. In case of emergency please call 999 or 112

The situation will be reviewed first thing tomorrow morning and if necessary a further update will be sent to you. Information is available on www.dublincity.ie and on Aertel page 629.

The party is hosting an evening for for new and prospective members of Fine Gael/Young Fine Gael this coming Thursday, April 26th at 7.30pm in the Alexander Hotel, 41-47 Fenian Street, Dublin 2.

We are committed to offering all new and potential members an opportunity to be meaningfully involved in the work of the party. This meeting is your chance to gain a better understanding of how the party operates, to discuss ways for you to become involved and to meet with officers and public representatives from your constituency.

At the meeting, we are keen to hear your ideas and to discuss the work that the government is doing to restore our economy, get people back to work and to rebuild our country. The evening will include addresses from Dr James Reilly TD, Minister for Health, and Brian Hayes TD, Minister of State for Public Service Reform and the Office of Public Works.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Noreen Flynn at noreen@finegael.com before Wednesday, April 25th.

We would be delighted if you would invite any family, friends, colleagues, neighbours to attend as all interested and potential members are very welcome on Thursday night – I hope to see you then!

If you have any further concerns, please contact me on 086 847 1720.

Regards,

Ray

MET Éireann’s forecast for heavy rain due later this week has been assessed by the City Council’s Emergency Management Team and following discussions with MET Éireann’s Forecast Division the latest forecasts for Dublin as forecast by MET Éireann is for 12-15mm of rain over this period and other international forecasts are suggesting 15-20mm of rain in this period.

The risk of Pluvial flooding from thunderstorm activity is possible but it is not possible to predict in advance the time, location or severity of any such thunderstorm activity.

Below is an update on the actions being taken by Dublin City Council in advance of the anticipated heavy rain due on Wednesday and Thursday next:

1. Drainage Division are monitoring the weather and are in close contact with MET Éireann.
2. Drainage Division are visiting and inspecting all river screens to ensure Drainage system can operate to maximum efficiency.
3. Waste Management Services staff, who operate o near continuous 24 hour city wide service, have been requested to take action as needed to also respond to any local flooding.
4. The Traffic Control Centre are using the extensive CCTV system to identify any city wide problems.
5. The Roads Department are also monitoring the network to mobilise as required.
6. Dublin Fire Brigade are on hand to respond to requests for service.
7. Additional Drainage staff are on standby should they be required.
8. Since the location or timing of any flooding cannot be predicted in advance by MET Éireann putting the community on alert is the most effective response.

WATERMAINS REHABILITATION WORKS
Some residents spoke to me at a recent community forum about the early start of the Watermains works that are currently on-going in the Church Street area. Following their enquiries, I spoke with the Rehabilitation Project team asking whether works could start somewhat later in the mornings. Given the significant works that are required to improve the water supply network in the area as well as the need for the work to be completed quickly, daily works will continue to start at 8am. I understand that work on the Watermain Rehabilitation Project in the area is due to be completed before the end of May.

DERELICT SITES UPDATE
Throughout my time on the City Council, I have continued to highlight the volume of derelict sites in the North Inner City and the need for action to be taken against the owners of these properties. Unfortunately, there are a number of sites in the Church Street district that are in a dilapidated condition and accordingly I asked the Derelict Sites Section of Dublin City Council to inspect these properties. Officials informed me at this month’s Dublin Central Area Committee, which I chair, that they are now inspecting 60, 67, 78, 79, 80, 82 and 86 North King Street as well as 18 & 19 Bow Street. Following these inspections, should the City Council classify the properties as legally derelict, these property owners will become liable to significant fines. Recent strong action from the City Council in relation to derelict properties in Phibsborough is welcome but more must be done.

WEED SPRAYING PROGRAMME
Throughout the past number of weeks, I have been liaising with the Public Domain Office of Dublin City Council to ensure this year’s weed removal programme starts early, given how mild our winter has been. Officials have informed me that two complete sprays will be carried out across the Church Street area during the coming months. The first spray commenced across the Inner City this week with the second one expected to take place from around August 1st next. However, these dates are very much weather dependent. Dublin Central is scheduled to be the first of the five administration areas in the city to be sprayed.

GULLY CLEANING
I continue to liaise with the Drainage Division of Dublin City Council to ensure that there is a regular programme of shore and gully cleaning in the Church Street district. Recent streets that have had shores and gullies cleaned include:
· North King Street: 48 of 48 shores cleaned
· Coleraine Street: 7 of 7 shores cleaned
· Beresford Street: 8 of 8 shores cleaned
· Ormond Square: 24 of 26 shores cleaned
· Charles Street West: 8 of 8 shores cleaned
· New Street North: 4 of 4 shores cleaned
If you are not satisfied with the level of shore and gully cleaning on your street, please let me know and I’ll arrange to have those shores cleaned. Please contact me on 086 847 1720 or raymcadam@gmail.com.

ILLEGAL DUMPING
The problem of illegal dumping of rubbish continues across the Church Street district and the wider Inner City. However, Dublin City Council has been working to address the problem. Litter Wardens have, since the start of the year, issued 152 fines as well as removing nearly 1500 dumped bags. Since the City Council’s exit from the Kerbside Bin Collection, 43 of the 110 former waste management staff have been transferred to street cleaning duties to assist with tackling the problem of illegal dumping.

DUBLIN CITY NEIGHBOURHOOD COMPETITION
The Dublin City Neighbourhoods Competition is an annual competition for communities, schools and businesses in the city organised by Dublin City Council. It is an Area based competition with categories judged initially before being selected to go forward to the citywide competition. The closing date for receipt of nominations is FRIDAY MAY 4th. Should you be involved in a residents’ association or group and would be interested in taking part in the competition, application forms or further information can be got be contacting the City Council on 222 5315.

PROBLEM OF DOG DIRT ON OUR STREETS
There has been a notable increase in the amount of dog dirt on streets across the city. Unfortunately, the problem is particularly acute on streets across the Church Street district. Dog owners are legally required under the Litter Pollution Act to pick up after their dog should it litter the street. Sadly, too many dog-owners are ignoring this responsibility leaving footpaths in an unacceptably dirty condition. In an effort to tackle the problem, Dublin City Council will be running an awareness programme to highlight the need for responsible behaviour on this issue. The City Council has also presented a number of proposed amendments to the Litter Pollution Act and I understand these measures are under active consideration by the Department of the Environment.

MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET
The Budget announced prior to Christmas included changes to how the Universal Social Change will apply for those on low incomes. Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD announced that people would now be able to earn more than €10,000 before having to pay the USC. Fine Gael committed prior to the General Election to review the Universal Social Charge because we felt it was an unnecessarily punitive measure on people who could least afford it. I very much welcome this decision, as I believe it was help particularly low paid and part time workers. I know too many people who have refused jobs because the pay is only slightly more than the Jobseeker’s Benefit after the Universal Social Charge has been taken. The decision taken by this Fine Gael-led Government not to increase income tax was is also welcome. It is a decision informed by the same principle that seen us abolish the USC for the lowest paid.

HOUSING MAINTENANCE ISSUES
If you are a tenant of Dublin City Council and are experiencing problems with maintenance issues, please let me know. As a member of the City Council’s Housing Strategic Policy Committee, I am working to establish the extent of the problem and what action the City Council can take the alleviate delays. You can contact me on 086 847 1720 or by email at raymcadam@gmail.com.

MARKETS REDEVELOPMENT
Dublin City Council is working along with An Bord Bia and other agencies in respect of redeveloping the Fruit & Vegetable market building. At present works are underway comprising the cleaning down and repainting of the roof. Electrical works are also being carried out at this stage. The work is being conducted on a ‘bay by bay’ basis, which involves considerable planning and organising in an effort to minimise the disruption to the Wholesale Traders. Works have nearly been completed on one bay in the market building with remaining works to be completed by the summer.

BIN COLLECTION SERVICE
Former City Council customers were badly let down by the Council and Greyhound for their joint failure to adequately explain how the change-over would operate, whether people would have to pay up-front charges or when their rubbish would be collected. Sadly, too many residents are continuing to experience difficulties with the service, or lack thereof, bring provided by Greyhound. Issues still remain with late collections, the non-provision of recycling bags and the availability of tags. Sadly, Greyhound’s customer service does little to help or support residents experiencing problems. However, I am continuing to liaise with both Greyhound and Dublin City Council to ensure any missed collections are provided as quickly as possible and that customer complaints are efficiently responded to. It is also important to remember that there is nothing to stop residents from seeking an alternative service provider. There are eleven other companies in the City Council area who are permitted to collect household waste. Please contact me at raymcadam@gmail.com if you wish to enquire about changing to another collector.

Dear Friend,

Many European political figures, including Vice-President of the European Commission, Antonio Tajani, are in Dublin, where they are attending ‘Leading Europe Beyond the Crisis’, a two-day conference organised by Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton, which opened yesterday in Dublin Castle.

The event is progressing well, with numerous topics relating to the future of Europe being discussed and debated.

It is vital that the Irish people are fully informed in advance of the upcoming Stability Treaty Referendum, and we launched a website yesterday designed to ensure that will be the case. All information relating to the Treaty can be found at www.stabilitytreaty.ie. Check it out. It gives a very clear and understandable explanation of what the Treaty is actually about.

This week, I met with a number of very impressive young people from all over the country that have set themselves the ambitious task of climbing the mighty Kilimanjaro in aid of Crumlin Children’s Hospital and the Chernobyl Children’s Project.

Some of the students asked me for tips, given that I climbed it myself back in 2003, and I could only advise them to prepare well and to trust that the achievement of reaching the summit will be reward enough for their efforts! I wish them all well and commend them for their initiative.

Small and medium businesses are the lifeblood of so many communities throughout the country, and, on Tuesday evening, I launched the Small Firms Association Better Business Show 2012. This is a series of annual events aimed at small firms to grow their business and I anticipate there will be great interest in the show as it visits 12 venues across Ireland up to May 10. There are very useful opportunities for small business here. Do follow up on www.sfa.ie.

The Mylan Pharmaceutical Company’s announcement that they are to add more than 500 new positions to their Dublin and Galway workforces by 2016 is, of course, very welcome. This will see an expansion of Mylan’s operations in these locations over the next five years and is a clear indication of their continued commitment to Ireland. This is an investment of $500m over the next four years. That’s a huge vote of confidence in Ireland. We need to continue that, and that is why approving the referendum by voting ‘Yes’ is so important.

Following this announcement in Baldoyle on Wednesday, I met with some residents of the Priory Hall development. I have great sympathy for the people who have found themselves in this situation, which is a terrible legacy of the lax standards that existed in many areas during the years of the property boom. Any solution will require flexibility on behalf of the banks to work with residents and other interested parties. We wait now on the outcome of the Supreme Court decisions due on Tuesday next, April 24.

Last night, I was honoured to deliver the Annual Chancellors’ Lecture at the University of Ulster. Queen Elizabeth’s visit here last year heralded a new chapter in British-Irish relations, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to address those assembled in Belfast last night in light of this new development.

Despite media reports, the Government only made a series of decisions on the establishment of Irish Water during Cabinet on Tuesday, and a commitment to do this was included in the Programme for Government. Irish Water will be established as an independent State-owned subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Eireann (BGE) group. The exact details on pricing and the operation of the free allowance will be a matter for the regulator. This is about rewarding people who are prudent and conservative in their use of water and the investment being made in the infrastructure will be of enormous importance to Ireland in the time ahead.

As I mentioned to you previously, I will be climbing Croagh Patrick with Giovanni Trapattoni on Saturday, April 28, in aid of five charities: Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, Western Care, Western Alzheimers, Mayo Mountain Rescue and the John Giles Foundation.

All wishing to join us in this endeavour can do so with a donation of €20 which can be made either on line when pre-registering for the climb, or on the day. For more information on supporting my ‘Trek with Trap’ see www.hospice.ie call 094-9388666 or find us on Facebook at Enda’s Trek with Trap’s Green Army.