COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

QUESTION NO. 3

QUESTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

To ask the Chief Executive if there has been any engagement with Palmerstown Football Club, following recent correspondence, with regard to developing an all-weather pitch in Glenaulin Park; to outline what steps would need to be taken to make progress; and if a statement can be made on the matter.

REPLY:

South Dublin County Council have put in place an Astro Pitch programme following the outcome of the sports pitch strategy; which examined the provision of pitches across the county.

It is acknowledged within the strategy that SDCC needs to plan for the provision and use of pitches, and will be required to optimise use of both grass and astro pitches. To that end the strategy recommends providing 3-5 astro pitches across the county; to allow clubs access to pitches at reasonable rates and allow for un-met playing and training need and to maximise as much as possible the access to these Astros.

The Strategy proposed pitches at the following locations:

1. Adamstown SDZ

2. Tallaght LAP

3. Ballycullen / Firhouse LAP

4. Clonburris SDZ

5. Fortunestown LAP area / Rathcoole/ Newcastle area

The Astro Pitches provided will be managed directly by the Council with a booking system that manages access to the pitches by all clubs that require their usage; at a reasonable rate. There is no proposal currently for an Astro pitch at Glenaulin Park. The Sports Pitch Strategy examined the locations for pitches based on existing Astro provision, population projections and travel distances. Please note the proposed provision of an Astro at Glenaulin would displace an existing grass pitch; with little scope for replacement of same elsewhere within the locality as the availability of grass pitches is low. SDCC have had recent correspondance with the Palmerstown Football Club and we have informed them of the above information.