COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

MOTION NO. 1

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

Cathaoirleach's Business

"That the Director/s responsible bring a report to the LAC on the current demands/requests from Community and Voluntary groups for assistance 're facilities, e.g. Palmerstown and Esker Boxing clubs 're premises/sites, Lucan United to secure an alternative locations to Airlie Heights for their All Weather Pitch, and there may be more. So that this Area Committee and the Executive can work together and strategically to respond in the most effective and urgent manner and in consultation with and the involvement of all stakeholders."

REPORT:

As the members are aware the availability of publicly owned Community space in the administrative area of this Committee is limited. The position is not unique in the County and the demands of this Area Committee have to be balanced with competing demands from across the County.

An option worth noting within this Area Committee is the large number of school and parish spaces which have limited, restricted or confined availability, even when these facilities are not required for their core use.

Over the recent past, a number of studies have been conducted which identified the available spaces and the potential availability of these spaces. This information is readily available but a comprehensive collation and coordination of the information has not been carried out. A dedicated resource would be required to do the necessary research with a view to establishing current demands, assessing future needs and requirements and producing a coordinated plan. This might be referred to as the preparation of a master plan for the County.

While current National financial schemes and budgetary provisions have been limited of late, there are nonetheless significant grants schemes available such as grants under Sports Capital, Lotto Funding, Dormant Accounts funding and so forth in addition to the funds that the Council might source from its day to day activities such as planning contributions, land disposals and by increasing revenue streams. A targeted approach to accessing these funds would potentially increase access.

All available current resources are deployed in addressing day to day needs and it is not recommended that these resources be diverted to the formation of a dedicated project team to move this proposal forward.