COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE 1

Monday, February 18, 2008

QUESTION NO. 8

QUESTION: Councillor M. Corr

To ask the Manager to indicate the timeframe for the redevelopment of St Aidan's Halting site - to outline what works will be carried out and what supports will be put in place to ensure the sustainability of the site going forward?

REPLY:

The St. Aidens Residential Caravan Park, at Brookfield was redeveloped in 1999, and in May 2006, five group houses were completed and occupied as part of the further upgrading of this site.  The Council are currently carrying out works on the community centre which was damaged recently by fire; the community centre is managed by Tallaght Youth Services on behalf of the Council.

With the provision of over 70% of the Traveller Accommodation Programme to date, there are few, if any, families presently in South Dublin Countys administrative area living in unfit conditions. The Traveller Accommodation Unit is currently reviewing the Traveller Accommodation Programme and as part of this review, It is intended to consult with the existing residents of the site in respect of a requirement of providing further group houses on this site. With the development of the Outer Ring Road completed, the Traveller Accommodation Unit have contacted the Architects Department to request draft plans for the further refurbishment or redevelopment of St Aidens, both in terms of its existing footprint and any available useable land. 

It is acknowledged that there have been issues in relation to dumping and burning in the environs of the site, in the recent past. All of the residents have been warned that this is unacceptable and that action will be taken against anyone found dumping on the site. Efforts are being made to address the provision of a standard refuse collection service to the site, and with the use of C.C.T.V. evidence against anyone causing these elements of anti-social behaviour, it is expected that this will resolve those issues.