COMHAIRLE CHONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE 1

Monday, January 15, 2007

HEADED ITEM No. 10

Report on Implementation of Traveller Accommodation Programme including Six Monthly Report on Implementation of Timetable of Programmes and Services in the West Tallaght Area (following from Motion adopted at Council Meeting of 9th May, 2005 at which the Traveller Accommodation Programme 2005-2008 was adopted)

REPORT

The assessment of Traveller accommodation needs conducted in association with the process leading to the adoption of the Traveller Accommodation Programme 2005 - 2008 indicated that there is a need to provide 215 units of Traveller-specific accommodation throughout the County during the course of the programme.  This accommodation is to cater for both immediate requirements and future family formations. 

The allocation of housing to families at Hazel Hill and Fortunestown at the end of 2006 resulted in the closure of St. Maelruan’s temporary facility.

At the end of 2006, half-way through the currently Traveller Accommodation Programme, 51 units of Traveller-specific accommodation have been occupied by families throughout the county, eight are awaiting occupation and  15 units are currently under construction in the county.

The following is the current position on developments at various stages of delivery in this Area Committee’s jurisdiction.

Belgard Road Re-development - Scheduled to start construction in 2008.  Progress dependent on ITT Master plan.

Brittas - at site identification stage.

Six monthly report on Implementation of Timetable of Programmes and Services in the West Tallaght Area (following from Motion adopted at Council Meeting of 9th May, 2005 at which the Traveller Accommodation Programme 2005-2008 was adopted)

The Council, at its Special Adjourned Meeting held on 9^th May 2005, adopted the Traveller Accommodation Programme 2005-2008. During the course of the meeting the following motion was tabled by Councillor C. Jones and seconded by Councillor Eamonn Walsh:

 “That this Council in the provision of a Group Housing scheme for Fortunestown ‘B’ commits to achieving the urgent essential services for the people of West Tallaght supports the implementation of a timetable, concluding December 2007.  This timetable to include:

•  The provision of a comprehensive social integration programme within local schools  
• Provision of additional crèche and playground facilities
• The sustainable operation of the existing all-weather pitches The sustainable operation of the local Swimming Pool
•  The upgrading of St. Aidan’s Halting Site
• The sustainable operation of the Brookfield Community & Youth Facility.

 This timetable to be subject to a six-monthly report to the Tallaght Area Committee commencing June 2005.”

 Following discussion the motion was passed.

 The current situation with regard to schemes mentioned in the motions is as follows:

Group Housing Scheme at Fortunestown

Families moved into the ten units of Traveller-specific accommodation at MacUlliam Gardens in December 2006.

School Programme in St Aidan's:

A virtual learning environment has been created in the school and will be further developed.  Teachers have received necessary training including three in-service days involving involving Dublin West Education Centre, the Institute of Technology Tallaght and South Dublin County Council.  Laptops are being distributed to first year students and a security system for such laptops is being developed.

An e-champion to assisting staff has been recruited.

An awareness campaign aimed at parents will be launched in the next few months.

 Crèche and Playground Facilities:

The crèche building is currently up to roof level.  In view of the revised funding ceilings now applied to such projects,  a revised application for funding has been submitted to Pobail.

All-weather pitches:

The council is represented on the board which oversees the management of the Jobstown all-weather pitches.  The pitches are managed by Jobstown All-weather Pitches Ltd.  The operation of the pitches is satisfactory and the Council will continue to be involved in the project.    

Swimming Pool

The swimming pool and sports hall facility is open to the public since November 2006.  The official opening will take place on the 23rd of January 2007.

Brookfield Community and Youth facility:

Minor works are now being finalised and internal works are to be completed shortly.

The re-furbishment of the existing Brookfield Centre has been completed and the centre is now fully operational.

St. Aidan's Residential Caravan Park:

 As previously agreed, it was proposed in conjunction the the construction of the five group houses, to carry out upgrading / refurbishment works to the existing residential caravan park.

The initial proposal was to address the environmental upgrade of the area to the front of the existing site and was to be designed in a manner so as to integrate the existing developments with the new developments. Phase 1 of this scheme has been completed. The remaining areas which has been subject to several clean-ups is at present being studied with a view to identifying all opportunities for re-development. A report will be made to a future meeting of this Area Committee as soon as possible.