COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

MOTION NO. 1

MOTION: Councillor Eoin Ó Broin

"That this Area Committee acknowledges the Government announcement of a 17 million euro scheme for developing outdoor dining capacity nationwide. That in light of this that this Area Committee discusses the applicability of this grant to Clondalkin Village and related to this the possibility of pedestrinization of Main St and Convent Road in Clondalkin village on weekends."

REPORT:

The relevant scheme mentioned in the Motion is:

Fáilte Ireland Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme 2021:

Fáilte Ireland has developed the Local Authority Weatherproofing & Outdoor Dining Infrastructure Scheme to provide support to Local Authorities to implement remedial works, weatherproofing and infrastructure solutions to streets/ zones where additional outdoor dining could be possible

The Fáilte Ireland Outdoor Dining Enhancement Investment Scheme comprises two dimensions: This scheme and the Outdoor Seating & Accessories for Tourism & Hospitality Businesses that is being administered through the Local Authorities (total budget allocation €17m).

The aim of this scheme is to support Local Authorities, to upgrade and enhance streets and public spaces and implement weather proofing solutions which will facilitate year-round outdoor dining in key tourism centres, whilst meeting the needs of all citizens.

Local Authorities are invited to identify suitable locations and propose capital projects that are flexible, innovative and facilitate year-round use for outdoor dining.

What are the Requirements of the Investment Scheme?

This Investment Scheme will support projects that meet the following Minimum Eligibility criteria: (These have been summarised)

  1. Proposed projects should be located in a permanently pedestrianised, or partially pedestrianised space/street/zone – ideally with linkages to connected pedestrianised areas of traditionally high tourism footfall.
  2. A minimum of three separate individual hospitality businesses should benefit from the proposed project.
  3. Proposals must demonstrate a cultural and design led approach which meets Local Authority Planning Regulations, Public Health and Safety Guidance and ensures a quality design aesthetic led by best practice guidelines.
  4. Eligible projects must have a lifespan of 5 years or more.
  5. Management and maintenance of the proposed project(s) will be the responsibility of the Local Authority.
  6. Local Authorities agree to provide baseline and ongoing performance statistics to Fáilte Ireland with regard to visitor numbers, footfall, promotion and engagement with the project for the next 5 years.
  7. Local Authorities must be satisfied that they have the legal right to carry out the weatherproofing and outdoor dining works and to operate same for a minimum of 5 Years.
  8. Local Authorities are invited to submit proposals for up to a maximum of two towns/cities within their Local Authority area. Separate applications will need to be completed for each location.
  9. The purpose of the Scheme is to enable projects of scale and to maximise impact. It will focus on city and town centres that present the greatest opportunity to generate tourism impact and an optimum number of year-round outdoor dining spaces.
  10. Each Local Authority can apply for up to €200,000 under the Scheme.

Roads Comments on the Scheme:

(a) Careful consideration must be given to the location of Outdoor Dining Areas taking into account, amongst other items, the effect on all Businesses, Residents, and Visitors.

(b) The Proposed projects need to be assessed in relation to their effect on existing Public Transport Routes.

(c) The additional Pedestrianisation is likely to lead to increased Traffic on New Road and Monastery Road.

(d) Agreement on the proposed scheme must be achieved between all stakeholder groups.

(e) The management of these projects will require additional South Dublin County Council personnel resources at weekends. These may include the set up and dismantling of infrastructure and extra cleaning resource allocation.

At the moment the Traffic section are not assessing the proposal because the Traffic studies necessary would not produce meaningful information. However, if the majority of businesses were interested in progressing the scheme we would be happy to discuss how this or a simpler scheme could be delivered.