COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
QUESTION NO. 1
QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor
"To ask the Chief Executive to present a report to the Tallaght Area Committee on his efforts to deal effectively with the situation which developed at Brookfield Youth & Community Centre; will he appreciate the importance of the Centre to the local community and will he make a statement?"
REPLY:
The Brookfield Youth and Community Centre Company Limited advised the Council of its inteention to cease trading as of 4.30pm on Friday the 29th of September 2017. As owner of the facility the Council, while has no involvement or responsibility in respect of the business affairs of the company, was anxious to secure first and foremost the physical structure of the building and ensure that the security of it and the status of it is maintained.
The staff in the centre following a meeting with the Directors of the Company on the 29th of September then undertook on a 18 day sit in protest, which concluded on Wednesday 18th of October. All Community and Youth Services which had operated from the Building had to be suspended or relocated to other locations during this time. Alternative arrangements for the groups where possible were made by the Community Team.
Since the conclusion of the protest, SDCC has resecured the building and have been able with the assistance of the DDLETB to run minimal services from the Centre. The other local community groups which had used the building are continuing to be accomodated in neighbouring community facilities for the time being.
South Dublin County Council is committed to ensuring that a proper community resource replaces the services previously provided by the company and will proceed to take all approriate necessary steps to provide to do this, subject to legal advice received.