News & Comment from AN PÁIRTÍ POBLACHTÁNACH Cllr. Deirdre 30 Collins Avenue East, , D5. e.mail [email protected] Phone 8512031/6183793 • Winter 2013 Insolvency Service The Insolvency Service of Ireland is an independent statutory body which was set up last March following legislation passed in Dáil and Seanad Éireann. Their website www.isi.gov.ie gives good information on the 3 insolvency options available. The early months have been spent on getting organised, getting the infrastructure in place to operate and issuing guidelines etc. Applications are being taken since early September from Personal Insolvency Practitioners (PIPs) on behalf of insolvent persons.

There has been some controversy regarding the guide issued on a reasonable standard of living and reasonable living expenses and more recently comments by a PIP on the needs of an insolvent professional person above those of a PAYE person. Hopefully the next few months will see this new body assisting many insolvent people back on the road to solvency. Autumn Leaves The City Council is improving the collection of Battle of Clontarf 1014 leaves this Autumn/Winter. The Council knows Next year is the Millennium of the Battle of the priority areas and these will be targeted Clontarf and Brian Boru. Many local groups will by Council staff supported by voluntary effort be celebrating the event in what will be a very from residents groups who assist. The priority special year for the people of Clontarf. areas such as Griffith Ave and parts of Raheny, City Council will commence their event schedule Clontarf and Marino all have mature trees with with the launch of a specially commissioned heavy leaf fall, high pedestrian usage and at risk book by Prof. Seán Duffy on Brian Boru and the of flooding from blocked shores etc. It’s a difficult Battle in Clontarf Castle on the 23rd October. and slow job, particularly when the leaves get The Central Bank will issue a small gold limited wet and mulched up. Hopefully we will see an edition collector coin, probably next May, to mark improvement. the Millennium of the Battle of Clontarf.

Website - I launched my website earlier in the year. I hope you find it helpful in keeping up to date on my comments on all local and national issues. Website: www.deirdreheney.ie email: [email protected] Home: 30 Collins Ave East, Killester, Dublin 5. Telephone: 6183793 or 8512031. City of Neighbourhoods Water Charges Local North Central area awards in this City As previously advised, the Government Council event, co-sponsored by have decided that water charges will apply Artane Credit Union, were recently presented. to households from October 2014. The Winners included Rathmore Park; St. Anne’s legislation has been put in place and a new Allotments; Harry Byrne’s Pub and Raheny State agency, Irish Water, will take over Tidy Village Group. Citywide, Raheny responsibility for provision of water supply. Tidy Village Group were overall winners in the residential competition. This is a major The installation of water meters is due to achievement. Harry Byrne’s Pub won best commence locally in early October with shop front. Rathmore Park won the 1 – 150 charges to apply from October 2014 and the houses category. Congratulations to the first bill to arrive in January 2015. The next winners and well done to all who participated. move is to decide on the quantity of the free allowance before charges apply. I believe this free allowance must be based on the number of people living in the dwelling and not a flat charge per house or based on house size. CY Pitch & Putt Talks continue regarding the future of the pitch and putt club. Lease and annual rental issues still in dispute.

Raheny have given formal notice Dublin Bike Scheme of their intention to add Raheny House ( excl. Dublin City Council’s bikes scheme has modern extensions) 476 Road and been a huge success over the last 4 years. former House, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Currently the scheme has 31,000 long term Raheny to the record of Protected Structures subscribers and the bikes are used between in the City Development Plan. Submissions/ 5,000 to 7,000 times daily. It is now the observations can be made to the Conservation intention to expand the scheme with an Office up to 23rd October after which a final additional 58 new stations, 950 new bikes decision will be made. and some 2,000 new stands, mainly in the Heuston and Docklands areas. The expansion works are due to be completed by next July/ Fianna Fáil Recruitment August. Fianna Fáil has recently carried out a major recruitment drive in third level colleges Clanmoyle Road around the country. Membership has soared Plans on the proposed flood alleviation by up to 200% in some colleges. If you would scheme are almost complete. Communication like to join Fianna Fáil locally or help me in continues with those residents directly next year’s Local Elections, please contact me. affected by the works. Clontarf Golf Anyone over 16 is welcome to join. There is Club, Irish Rail, City Council (and their plenty of activity from political meetings to consultants) are all involved, as well as the canvassing, newsletter distribution etc., and OPW, which, as the funding authority, must plenty of exercise too! Please call me if you approve final designs. can help. St. Anne’s Park Planning Matters Finance has been provided for: The following are some local planning • Resurfacing of tennis courts to commence applications which can be viewed in Dublin late October, cost €85,000. City Council Civic Offices during normal • Playground improvements to commence office hours or at www.dublincity.ie soon, cost €100,000. • Restoration of Annie Lee Folly, cost €40,000 2898/13; permission granted for 5/6 storey nursing home of 147 bedrooms at Northern Above projects are being funded from the Cross development Road City Council Parks Department budget. **** 3325/12; Bord Pleanála approval for • The City Council has also given Trinity development at of Mosque and Sports & Leisure Club a grant Cultural Centre, 2 storey conference centre, of €15,000 towards swimming pool running 16 room primary school and 12 room costs secondary school, fitness centre, apartments Bridge & surface carpark. The process of naming the new bridge over 3521/12; Bord Pleanála decision on approval the for the new cross ‘conditions’ re 12x3 storey houses with city line & other public transport linking Marlborough St on the North side to Hawkins entrance between 50 & 52 Ave., St was completed at the September Council Clontarf. meeting. Councillors indicated their 2653/13; permission granted for demolition preferences for the final 5 shortlisted names as of house at 18 Seafield Rd. West and follows; Rosie Hackett 192 points; Kay Mills construction of 3 detached 1½ storey dormer 176; Willie Bermingham167; Bram Stoker 92; dwellings. Frank Duff 80; The other suggestions in the last 10 were Abbey Theatre, James Connolly, 2526/13; permission granted for extension George Sigerson, WB Yeats, Ernest Walton. to Howth Rd National School beside Rosie Hackett was a trade unionist and 1916 Presbyterian Church. veteran who encouraged women to join the 1913 Lockout. This is the first bridge over the 3088/13; application submitted for single Liffey to be named after a woman. storey office at St. Brigid’s Boys School, Killester. The Central Bank has issued a limited edition of a €15 silver proof coin commemorating the 2780/13; permission granted for demolition centenary of the 1913 Dublin Lockout of existing extension and build new 2 storey (cost €44). incl classroom at Drumcondra NS Church Local Elections Avenue. The Local Elections are due in May 2014. 2525/08; extension of time sought for The Minister’s committee has changed the previous permission for floodlights to Rugby boundaries of the Clontarf Ward from a 5 & GAA pitch at St. Paul’s College, to a 6 seat ward. This brings in homes on Sybil Hill Rd. Foxfield Road, Foxfield Heights, Cedar Walk , Rathmore Park, Howth Rd. all of St. Assam’s; 2401/13; site bounded by Vernon Ave/ Orchard Rd, Foxe’s Lane, Watermill Rd, all of Belgrove Rd/Kincora Rd/St Joseph’s Sq/ Maywood, Bettyglen, Raheny Park, Avondale Vernon Wood with new entrance from Park, The Village, The Glen, Main St. & that Vernon Ave, application for 17 houses – part of Station Rd up as far as the DART. additional information sought. Adopt a Street Richmond Ave Over the Summer the City Council initiated The unfinished apartment development at a number of ‘Adopt a Street’ schemes to set numbers 21 and 27 – 29 Richmond Avenue a new high standard of street cleaning with remains an unsightly mess for local residents. I help from local business and residents. DCC continue to pursue the issue with City Council provide ‘Adopt a Street’ bibs, sweeping brushes, officials who say the original planning approval litter pickers, gloves, bags etc. and will arrange has now expired and the site is regarded removal of any litter collected. The first scheme as abandoned. It has been examined by started on Killester Ave where residents and Dangerous Buildings Section, is on the Derelict business working with DCC meet at 7pm Sites Register and the Unfinished Housing Tuesdays for 20 minutes to keep the area clean. Register, has been issued with a warning notice Other schemes include Killester (meet outside but there has been no response from the site Beachcomber Mondays at 6pm) and also along owner or financial institutions. the Clontarf Road on Wednesdays at 7pm. The current main focus is streets with high footfall. If you wish to get involved and ‘Adopt your Street’, you can contact me for further details.

Drivers Since the new plastic driving licences were introduced earlier in the year about 2,000 a day (400,000 in total) have been issued. Existing licences will be replaced with plastic as they expire. The Government have also published new road traffic legislation which will 1. Introduce the concept of novice drivers displaying an ‘N’ plate for 2 years Cllr. Deirdre Heney presenting the Lord Mayors Cup to this year’s Winner in Clontarf Golf Club 2. Set the disqualification level for learner & novice at 6 penalty points GoCar Car Club 3. Allow roadside tests to check on drug taking Operating under the City Council’s new bye 4. Increase penalty points to 3 & 5 (previously laws, GoCar recently became the first car 2 & 4) for speeding, mobile phone use and club operating 50 cars from 31 pay & display non-wearing of seatbelts. locations in the city. GoCar is a members only car sharing service allowing members to Flood Forum rent by the hour. There is a one off joining fee Dublin City Council has set up a Flood Forum plus charge per hour and Kilometer for use. which will provide support and information Members using GoCars are not charged for to communities that have been flooded or are parking at pay & display parking spaces as this considered to be at risk of flooding. The forum is covered by the permit fee paid by GoCar to will work with communities and households the Council. Local locations include Raheny, in giving flood plan and property protection Clontarf, Killester and Drumcondra but the 30 information. There is a range of flood locations are well spread around the city. See protection products that can be of help. See www.gocar.ie. Car clubs like GoCar have been my website for details and email or phone me hugely successful in many European & US for a copy of the flood protection guide. cities.