COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOCIAL, COMMUNITY, EQUALITY AND INTEGRATION SPC
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
HEADED ITEM NO. 1
HEADED ITEM: Community
Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday, 11th February 2026
REPLY:
In attendance:
Cllr Emma Murphy (Chair); Cllr Alan Edge; Cllr Niamh Whelan; Cllr Alan Hayes; Noel Gavin PPN; Daire Henessy, PPN; Lorna Maxwell, Director of Community; Edel Clancy, SEO Community Department; Fionnuala Keane, AO Community Department; Aoife Troy, Acting SCO Community Dept, Joe Lumumba, AO Community Dept; Thomas McDermott, Local Sports Coordinator; Maria Nugent, AO Community Dept; Brian Carroll, SSO Community Dept; Kelly Fitzgerald, ASO Community Dept
Other attendees: Simon Monds, Chief Executive Officer, South Dublin County Partnership; Gerry Horan, Noise Music Programme, Arts Office
*The Chair, Cllr Emma Murphy opened the meeting at 3pm.
Agenda Item No 1: Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 November 2025, were circulated in advance of the meeting. They were proposed by Cllr E Murphy and seconded by Cllr N Whelan and agreed.
Agenda Item No 2: Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
Agenda Item No 3: Presentation on the work of the South Dublin County Partnership
S Monds delivered a summary of the objectives of South Dublin County Partnership (SDCP).
The presentation outlined the organisation’s anti-poverty focus and its work with disadvantaged communities across the county, particularly in North Clondalkin, West Tallaght and Balgaddy.
It highlighted key funding sources and the delivery of over 90 programmes across Community Development, Health & Wellbeing, Lifelong Learning, Enterprise & Employment, Integration, and Children & Family Supports
Specific initiatives referenced included the Heads-Up Mental Health programme, the Connect 4 youth Engagement project, Sláintecare Health & Wellbeing supports (including healthy eating programmes for older people), and digital skills training for older adults
Questions and comments were raised by Cllrs. E Murphy, N Gavin PPN & Cllr Edge regarding members of the Council sitting on the board, Volunteering for the Pilot project and the Co-Ordinator post. Responses were provided by S Monds.
The report was noted.
Agenda Item No 4: Community Development, Social Inclusion and Health & Wellbeing Initiatives – updates on programmes and initiatives – Creative and Active Programme.
G Horan delivered a presentation outlining the Creative and Active Programme, developed by the Arts Office, which supports community engagement through creative practice, physical activity, local events and social connection.
The pilot programmes took place in Quarryvale, Brookfield, Balgaddy and Kilinarden. The aim is that activities are inclusive, accessible and impactful. By establishing Local Partnerships, they have been able to build long term sustainability for the programmes and events.
Some of the programs offered include Strand 1 - Youth lead programs and Strand 2 - Activate a Space.
A launch event will take place on 11 April at Balgaddy Community Centre and Tor an Rí, delivered in partnership with South Dublin County Partnership, NOISE Music, the Dance Programme and Active Cities. The programmes will run from April to July, concluding with a Family Day on 25 July at Balgaddy Community Centre. This event will provide an opportunity to reflect on and assess the overall impact and success of the programmes. It is intended that, over time, ownership and delivery of events will transition to the local community.
The Creative & Active Partnership structure was outlined, highlighting the importance of early engagement and collaboration among all partner organisations. Balgaddy is currently progressing a formal Partnership Agreement, which will clearly set out the roles and commitments of each organisation. It is envisaged that the partner organisations will play an increasingly central role in driving the programme forward.
Cllr A Hayes enquired if funding would continue once these Facilitators have concluded their involvement. G Horan confirmed that a local partner, once identified and agreed will be fully supported by various teams involved.
Cllr E Murphy thanked G Horan for the presentation.
The report was noted.
Agenda Item No 5: Local Community Safety Partnership update
M Nugent presented.
The induction training took place on the 12th December 2025 and the first meeting of the new group is scheduled to take place on Friday, 20th February 2026.
Cllr A Hayes asked if the Election of the Chair came from within the committee. M. Nugent responded by outlining the process and confirming that a Chair must be formally nominated, with nominations due by Friday, 13 February 2026. The Chair will serve a three-year term, and the position is voluntary.
Cllr E. Murphy queried whether the membership and work of the Committee could be advertised in the local media in order to encourage greater community awareness and buy-in. M. Nugent confirmed that a photocall will take place at the first meeting of the Committee and that information would be circulated through the regular channels.
D Henessey asked about youth participation on the LCSP. M Nugent responded that M Quinn was the youth representative voice on the committee and that the Junior Safety Forum would continue in its current format.
The item was noted.
Agenda Item No 6: South Dublin Age Friendly Strategy 2025-2029
J Lumumba outlined the work undertaken over the past six months by the Age Friendly Team/Alliance in developing the new Age Friendly Strategy. He emphasised the importance of ensuring that the views of older people across the county were heard and reflected in the strategy.
Consultation included focus groups across the seven LEAs, distribution of 110 surveys (99 completed online), 20 stakeholder interviews, and a public consultation meeting held in the Maldron Hotel, Tallaght.
The emerging issues and concerns identified through the consultation process will inform the key actions of the Strategy. These were grouped under eight core themes reflecting the Age Friendly structure, with a ninth theme, Climate Action, added due to its recurring prominence throughout the consultation. Each theme contains a series of proposed actions. Draft actions were circulated to members and the Alliance for feedback, following which a first draft of the Strategy was submitted to Senior Management for review.
The draft Strategy will now be published on the consultation portal, with hard copies circulated to Community Centres. Any appropriate amendments arising from this process will be incorporated. The final document will then be presented to the SPC and subsequently brought to Council for noting.
In response to a query from Cllr Hayes regarding implementation, L. Maxwell advised that engagement with relevant Council departments and implementation partners will form a critical next phase of the process.
Cllr Murphy requested that a briefing on the finalised Strategy be provided at the May Full Council meeting, in advance of the next SPC meeting. Cllr Edge suggested that local media be utilised to promote awareness of the Strategy.
The item was noted.
Agenda Item No 6: Report on Community and Sports Grants
F Keane presented the report and provided an overview of the 2025 Community Grants, including funding streams for Summer Projects, Community Events and Festivals, and Community Development Grants
It noted that the 2026 funding programmes will open on 16 February, with workshops to support groups in the application process and updated grant guidelines to be published online.
The application process has been revised this year to support improved operational management and to ensure that budgets are allocated appropriately across projects throughout the year. Details of these changes will be published on the website when the grant applications open.
The revised process will help ensure that funding remains available for key events such as Halloween and Christmas. In addition, applications for Quarter 1 of 2027 will be accepted before the end of this year to support forward planning and budget allocation.
A review of the Community Grants process is underway, including consideration of frontloading grants and changes to the application process to better manage funding across the year
T McDermott presented. The Sports Development Grants programme for 2026 has a budget of €150,000, with revised criteria removing previous caps and restrictions. Funding will support participation in sport and physical activity, including equipment, training and targeted initiatives for underrepresented group
A discussion took place regarding the allocation of funding for events across the County, with an emphasis on ensuring an equitable spread. Clarification was sought by D Henessey on the reasons applications may be deemed unsuccessful, and this was addressed.
E Clancy invited members to submit any suggestions in relation to grant funding for consideration as part of the ongoing review. It was also noted that a more detailed report on the 2025 grants programme will be presented at the various ACMs in February.
The item was noted.
Any other business
Following the resignation of Emily Smart, Clondalkin Travellers Development Group, from the SPC, it was noted that a nomination from the PPN would be required to fill the vacancy.
J Lumumba sought the Committee’s support to approach Charlie O’Connor to act as Grand Marshal for the Tallaght St. Patrick’s Day Parade on 17 March. The proposal was agreed.
Cllr Murphy requested that SPC members be invited to attend events connected to the work of the SPC. This was agreed.
**The meeting concluded as there was no other business**