Reply - Q17 July Job Stimulus

OMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 14, 2020

QUESTION NO. 17

QUESTION: Councillor Shane Moynihan

To ask the Chief Executive to outline the criteria used to identify the projects for which NTA cycling funding from the July Stimulus Package was sought, and as to why South Dublin County Council received the lowest allocation of the four Dublin councils and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY:

There was a very tight timeframe attached to the July Job Stimulus scheme. For example, the notification of available opportunities under the scheme was received via circular from the NTA on 28^th July 2020, with a closing date for submission of proposals back to the NTA no later than 14^th August 2020, with a caveat that works approved must be capable of being planned and completed, and claimed from NTA, by the end of November 2020.

The Council’s application was compiled based on a number of factors including:

Examinations of locations where it was identified that maintenance works would enhance COVID-19 mobility measures across the county
Liaison by our Road Safety Officer with schools regarding bicycle parking in response to requests
Identification of suitable locations at Luas and bus stop locations for bicycle parking and lockers
Identification of speedy civil works: ducting for comms /cabling and upgrade of signal control equipment / installation of radio equipment

The Council was notifified by the NTA of the decision on the application on 19^th August 2020.

Full details of the schemes approved are available at this link

ttps://www.nationaltransport.ie/news/nta-allocates-e55m-to-councils-for-cycling-and-walking-projects-under-july-jobs-stimulus-plan/

While it is acknowledged that there are variances in the value of the awards / applications made, we are very satisfied with our application and consider our programme to be quite ambitious given our available resources, and we are already working towards the speedy implementation of the projects.