COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE/FIRHOUSE/BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 08, 2021

MOTION NO. 8

MOTION: Councillor L. Donaghy

That this Area Committee calls on the manager to offer the Rathfarnham Castle Stables Courtyard as a venue (e.g. for events, community groups and/or small business pop-ups) to ensure this amenity is put to use in our 2021 "outdoor summer".

REPORT:

 A tender process in respect of the proposed uses at Rathfarnham Castle Courtyard and Stables failed to identify a preferred bidder for the opportunity at this location.  

The Council is currently reviewing the process with the consultants with a view to bringing the project back to the market in 2021, subject to appropriate market conditions.

Members will be kept informed of progress.

Any proposed development will be the subject of a Part 8 planning process.

In the meantime, the council has considered the use of the courtyard space for temporary uses. It can be reported that the yard surface in the south and central courtyards is not entirely suitable for public access, especially in terms of suitable accessibility (buggies, wheelchairs, etc), where the surface consists of old cobbles with gravel. This would require extra conservation work at a considerable cost.  The north courtyard is currently in use as a working Parks Depot and is not available for other uses at this time. The buildings, in general, do not have electricity nor are they plumbed.

In terms of facilitating an ‘outdoor summer’ the Council is actively progressing the outdoor dining accessories scheme for tourism and hospitality businesses in the County. To date, almost 70 applications have been received for financial support from local businesses within the county who wish to increase their outdoor dining capacity.

Grants of up to €4,000 are available under the Outdoor Dining Enhancement and Accessories for Tourism and Hospitality Business Scheme to support hospitality businesses with?upgrading venues and public spaces and implementing weather-proofing solutions to facilitate year-round outdoor dining.? Items covered under the scheme are outdoor tables, chairs, umbrellas, electric heaters, screen/windbreaks, plant stands and wooden platforms.

The scheme is open to attractions, hotels, restaurants, cafes, public houses or other tourism and hospitality business establishments where food is sold for consumption on the premises. The scheme will provide for up to 75% of the ex-VAT cost of equipment purchased/installed with a maximum allowable contribution of up to €4,000 per applicant.

Funding under the scheme is only available to existing businesses and all applicants will be required to comply with planning codes, legislative requirements, and other compliance requirements. If an applicant intends to place outdoor seating & accessories in a public space, they must first apply for a Section 254 license by initially contacting the County Promotion Unit on 01-414 9000 or e-mail econdev@sdublincoco.ie who will work through the process with the applicant. No S.254 is required if the applicant is placing accessories within their own business premises.

The scheme is open for applications until 30/9/2021. Full terms and conditions are available on the application webpage by searching ‘Outdoor Dining’ on South Dublin County Council’s website or by licking here https://www.sdcc.ie/en/services/business/enterprise/business-support/outdoor-seating-and-accessories-scheme/