Dublin Docklands Social Infrastructure Audit

Community Engagement Meeting

16th January 2015

22/23 Pembroke Street Upper 2 +353 (0)1 6766971 www.mhwplanning.ie Presentation Contents

1. Project Overview 2. Stage 1 Approach 3. Stage 1 Preliminary Findings 4. Next Steps 1. Definition of Social Infrastructure

What is Social Infrastructure? . It includes a wide range of services and facilities, including health, education, community, cultural, play, sports, faith, and social services that contribute to quality of life and a sense of place in an area.

Social Infrastructure Categories . Education / Training; . Health; . Sports & Recreation; . Social / Community; . Arts & Culture; . Faith Groups; . Other. 1. Project Overview

Need for the study? . Objective CD21 of North Lotts & Dock SDZ Planning Scheme; . An evidence-base to inform the preparation of a Community and Social Development Plan.

Purpose of the study? . Assess the impacts of change over the last 10-15 years; . Appropriately plan for future requirements – SDZ, Docklands Masterplan, Dublin City Council Development Plan; . Meet the needs of people who live, work and use facilities in Dublin Docklands. 1. Study Area

What is the study area? 2. Stage 1 Approach 3. Stage 1 Preliminary Findings - Overview Infrastructure Providers Questionnaire Baseline Survey . 30 responses – education, local authority, . 275 social infrastructure facilities surveyed health, youth and community / resource providers; Infrastructure Category Number of Facilities . 80% operating for 11+ years; Sports & Recreation 45 . 73% own current premises; Education / Training 59 . 15% said premises were in poor condition; Health 44 . Half believe 81-100% of their users live in area; 67 Social / Community . 68% share community facilities with other Faith 24 providers; Arts & Culture 24 Other 12 . 64% feel operating activity has increased moderately or significantly in last 24 months; Infrastructure User Questionnaire . 65% identified revenue/funding as biggest . 105 responses barrier to increasing operations/services. 3. Stage 1 Preliminary Findings – Education / Training

Including pre-school, primary, secondary Summary Observations / Issues and third level, evening classes and skills . High satisfaction ratings with schools – 35% development workshops. excellent, 61% good, 4% average “Schools are doing their best”. . Wider picture of dissatisfaction with schools system, enrolment policies, out commuting and related transport issues; . Individual school deficits/issues identified; . Department of Education & Skills:  Sufficient capacity in primary and secondary schools – provision of Shellybanks Educate Together Primary;  Focus on underpinning viability of existing schools in area;  Future role for non-denominational primary school?; Baseline Survey  Schools assessment methodology is . 59 facilities identified – increase in language robust; schools / new offerings. . Affordable childcare remains an issue; . Continued development of training / upskilling Stakeholder Engagement needed. Links to local employers and third level . 29% respondents use education facilities / 21% institutes key; use training facilities; . Dublin South East Community Training Centre / . 10 responses from local schools. Irish Nautical Trust initiatives. 3. Stage 1 Preliminary Findings – Health

Including health centres, GPs, health nurses, dentist and other health care professionals (eg. opticians, chiropodist)

Summary Observations / Issues . HSE Primary Care Centres in Irishtown and , and Pearse Street are pivotal in local community – suggested that nearing capacity, ability to accommodate envisaged future growth?; . Potential expansion of Irishtown and Ringsend; Baseline Survey . Identified gap in general healthcare provision in . 44 facilities identified – increases in dentistry, north of study area - HSE Plans; opticians, home help, developed medical health . New demands on local health care services – centres. mental health; Stakeholder Engagement . Potential issues relating to commercial viability . 43% respondents use health facilities - 71% of private health enterprises, particularly in the occasionally, 10% every month; short term. . 90% rate as excellent or good. 3. Stage 1 Preliminary Findings – Sports & Recreation

Including sports centres, sports clubs, Summary Observations / Issues public and private children’s play areas, . Notable growth in sports and recreation-based activities in Docklands in recent years – playing pitches, swimming pools, gyms, investment in new gyms, public sports facilities, pool halls etc water-based initiatives, inter-cultural events; . Larger parks and sports pitches concentrated in south east of study area. Physical constraints inhibit delivery in central areas; . Public realm / character issues identified; . Council committed to 8 public spaces under the SDZ Planning Scheme; . Play improvements needed in Sheriff Street and Pearse Street Recreation Centres; . Potential gaps in provision include indoor hall spaces, public performance areas and a boxing club in Irishtown area. Baseline Survey . 45 facilities identified – includes Grand Canal Square, Docklands Chimney Park and the Linear Park. Stakeholder Engagement . 48% of respondents use sports and recreation facilities - 42% a number of times a week, 25% occasionally and 22% once a week; . 81% rate quality of facilities as excellent. 3. Stage 1 Preliminary Findings – Social / Community

Including local authority offices, statutory welfare services, libraries, and community services

Summary Observations / Issues . Economic difficulties has placed additional pressures on social services in recent years in terms of presentations to these facilities, diversity of issues, and available resources and funding to address problem areas; . In particular, St Andrews, Sean O’Casey and Baseline Survey Irishtown and Ringsend community centres . 67 facilities identified – comprising mix of play a pivotal role in delivery of social services government, local authority offices, statutory locally – track record in positive partnership welfare services, libraries, garda stations etc. working and problem solving; Stakeholder Engagement . Strong need for building improvements at St. . 37% of respondents use social / community Andrews / RICC development plans to upgrade facilities - 21% once a week, 41% occasionally facilities; . 90% rate quality of facilities as excellent or . The need for local support services for young good. people and the elderly were highlighted in particular. 3. Stage 1 Preliminary Findings – Arts & Culture

Including museums, heritage attractions, theatres, performance areas, art and music centres etc.

Summary Observations / Issues . Positive progression in recent years – Bord Gais Theatre, expansion of 3 Arena, public arts programme; . Greater offer needed at next scale down; . Identified as significant opportunity area for future growth – more collaborative, socially Baseline Survey inclusive, integrated approach needed; . 24 facilities identified – comprising a mix of . Council & Business to Arts initiative to educate galleries, art studios, museums, cultural and train artists; centres etc. . Potential gaps in provision include small galleries and flexible studio space; Stakeholder Engagement . Maritime heritage identified as an “untapped . 70% of respondents use arts & culture facilities opportunity” – links to Irish Nautical Trust and - 72% occasionally, 23% once a month; Dublin Dockworkers Preservation Society; . 55% rate the quality of facilities as excellent, . Potential arising from cruise liner activities at 39% good. Dublin Port. 3. Stage 1 Preliminary Findings – Faith Groups

Including churches, community centres, youth clubs, etc.

Summary Observations / Issues . Significant concentration of faith facilities in the Docklands, the majority of which relate to the catholic religion; . No formal burial grounds in study areas; . All facilities appear to be in good condition; . No reported capacity issues or unmet needs; Baseline Survey . The changing cultural profile means that there . 24 facilities identified – including churches, may be a need to accommodate different faith associated parish halls, the Dublin Buddhist groups in the future. Centre, St Joseph’s Young Priest Society, the Salvation Army and the Trinity Church Network Stakeholder Engagement . 33% of respondents use faith facilities - 39% on a weekly basis, 48% occasionally; . 96% rate the quality of facilities as excellent or good. 3. Stage 1 Preliminary Findings – Other Facilities

Including post offices, credit unions

Summary Observations / Issues . Concentrated but very valued presence of post office and credit union facilities in the Baseline Survey Docklands; . 12 ‘other’ facilities identified – consisting of . In particular, the loss of post office services is a local credit unions, post offices and the An Post concern locally. sorting office. Stakeholder Engagement . 51% of respondents use other facilities; . 71% rate the quality of facilities as excellent or good. 14% said they were poor or very poor. 4. Next Steps

Stage 2: Assessment of Future Needs . Commenced 12th January 2015 . Examination of baseline growth projections; . Application of qualitative /quantitative standards for infrastructure types; . Ongoing stakeholder engagement – development of specific needs.

. Final report in early March Thank You

Dublin Docklands Social Infrastructure Audit

16th January 2015

22/23 Pembroke Street Upper Dublin 2

+353 (0)1 6766971 www.mhwplanning.ie