Author Archives: Deirdre McCaughey

Impressive second place finish for Dún Laoghaire in Irish Business Against Litter rankings

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Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council was delighted to see the town of Dún Laoghaire finish second out of the 40 towns and cities surveyed across the country – the town’s highest ever finish – in the most recent Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) rankings.
The results of the survey show Dún Laoghaire was awarded the ‘Cleaner than European Norms’ classification by the judging panel and provides further evidence of the Council’s commitment to maintaining a clean county.
       
The Council currently employs 59 staff in their cleansing section providing services such as graffiti removal, support for community clean-ups, emptying of litter bins, street sweeping, weed control, gully cleaning and the removal of abandoned cars.
Eighteen of these staff concentrate solely on cleaning the roads and footpaths throughout the county using 6 large, 2 mid-size and 2 small road sweepers.
Along with all of the other major town centres in the county, the streets in Dún Laoghaire are swept 7 days a week, with a dedicated pedestrian green machine also working in the town on a seven day rota.
 
Our recent county-wide installation of new solar powered, compacting ‘Smart Bins’ – which monitor real time levels of waste and inform staff when individual bins need to be emptied – has helped streamline our cleansing service.
The overall litter bin capacity has increased from 45,000 litres to over 250,000 litres, with a consequential reduction in energy output from the cleansing fleet by over 85,000 kWh per year through reduced travel costs.
Commenting on the results Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor congratulated the staff in the cleansing section for their hard work and said: “Projects such as the People’s Park, the Metals, Moran Park and the LexIcon are shining examples of not only the staff’s hard work but also the commitment of the business community and residents to continue to keep Dun Laoghaire litter free and are a credit to the community.”
 
ENDS

Motor insurers have role to play in attracting people home

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Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Tuesday) said that bringing young people home for good is a key part of Fine Gael’s plan to keep the recovery going in 2016 and that motor insurers also have a role to play.

“Next year, for the first time since the crisis began, more people will return to Ireland than leave. However many insurers are not recognising driver experience accrued abroad and are quoting those returning to Ireland to work extremely high premiums.

“Since the launch of the Action Plan for Jobs in 2012, over 135,000 jobs have been added to the economy. Over Christmas many major employers have launched recruitment campaigns to encourage people to come back for good. This is all very positive but unexpected costs, such as very high insurance, could act as a deterrent.

“When Fianna Fáil wrecked the economy they destroyed the future of countless young people who were forced to emigrate in search of work and opportunity. Five years later, thanks to the work of the Irish people, the economy is recovering and there are opportunities at home once again.

“By 2020 we expect 70,000 Irish emigrants to have come home to take up new jobs and opportunities. The Government is working to create opportunities for these people and to reduce taxes so they can keep more of their own money. However motor insurers have a role to play to treat all customers fairly, whether they have a record of safe driving in Ireland or elsewhere.”

Local Property Tax rates to be maintained until 2019

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Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has welcomed the news that the revaluation date for Local Property Tax (LPT) rates has been postponed until 2019.

“The Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, has published the Local Property Bill 2015 which postpones the date for revaluation of LPT from 2016 to 2019.

“This means that home owners in Dun Laoghaire will not face significant increases in their LPT in 2017 as a result of increased property values.

“This Bill also allows for exemptions from LPT for property owners with pyrite issues and introduces reliefs from LPT for properties occupied by someone with a disability.

“The extra time before revaluation will allow for other recommendations from the LPT review to be considered.

“Fine Gael has a long term plan to keep the recovery going and part of that plan is to implement affordable, sustainable improvements in services using the resources from growing employment.

“It is vital that affordable LPT rates are set that take into consideration increases in property values. This is particularly relevant in commuter areas like Dun Laoghaire.

“The introduction of this Bill is very much to be welcomed, but it is important that we continue to work hard and ensure more people feel the benefits of a recovering economy.”

Mitchell O’Connor encourages everyone in Dun Laoghaire to shop local this Christmas and support Dun Laoghaire businesses

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Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire for Mary Mitchell O’Connor is encouraging everyone in Dun Laoghaire to shop local this Christmas and support Dun Laoghaire businesses.

“Small and family businesses in Dun Laoghaire are the lifeblood of our local economy and have played a crucial role in the recovery that is now well underway. I’m calling on everyone in Dun Laoghaire who’s going out to do their Christmas shopping in the coming days and weeks to think local first.

“I would also like to remind employers in Dun Laoghaire that they can now gift their staff Christmas bonus vouchers of up to €500 tax free. Up until now, an employer could only provide an employee with a once-off, annual non-cash tax-free benefit to the value of €250. This tax change is a great incentive for employers to reward staff with a larger bonus for Christmas and it will provide a significant boost to the local economy here in Dun Laoghaire, where I would encourage people to spend those vouchers.

“Fine Gael has a long term plan to keep the recovery going and we’re working to ensure more people feel the benefits of a recovering economy in their own lives. Supporting local businesses here in Dun Laoghaire this Christmas will further help to ensure the recovery is felt by an many people as possible this Christmas.”

Proposed Development by Council – Convent Road (Blackrock) Improvement Scheme

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PC/TRS/01/15

In accordance with Part 8, Article 81 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (as Amended), Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council hereby gives notice of a proposal to:-

Set back the existing boundary wall (by 2m) on the south side of Convent Road, Blackrock from its junction with Carysfort Avenue to the entrance of Carysfort National School to facilitate an increase in footway width.

Plans and particulars of the proposals are available for inspection from 2nd December 2015 up to and including 27th January 2016, at the Planning and Enterprise Departments, County Hall, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire between the hours of 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and at the Blackrock Library, Main Street Blackrock betweenthe hours of 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 1.15pm to 8.00pm Tuesday and Thursday excluding Bank Holidays.

The proposals are also available for viewing at https://dlrcoco.citizenspace.com/

Submissions or observations with respect to the proposals, and dealing with the proper planning and development of the area, may be made in writing on or before 10th February 2016 to

Senior Staff Officer
Traffic and Road Safety SectionMunicipal Services Department
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
County Hall
Marine Road
Dún Laoghaire
Co Dublin

Or by email to: traffic@dlrcoco.ie

Be Ready for Winter

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Severe weather challenges all of us. Activities that we take for granted can become difficult or even hazardous when severe weather occurs. However, by taking some simple steps you can reduce the impact of such events.

This winter-ready booklet gives information on being prepared, providing practical advice for coping during episodes of severe weather, as well as giving contact details of organisations and agencies that can provide guidance and assistance. The booklet was prepared by the Office of Emergency Planning. The main message is simple – be prepared, stay safe and know where to find help should you need it.

Be Winter Ready (pdf -4,982kb)

Bí Ullamh don Gheimhreadh (pdf -4,889kb)

Countywide Christmas Parking Promotion for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

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I warmly welcome the decision of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to announce a Christmas holiday parking promotion for on-street pay & display parking areas across the County.

The promotion will provide shoppers and visitors with one hour free parking when they pay for a minimum of one hour parking from 1st December 2015 to the 31st December 2015 inclusive.

How does it work?

The promotion applies to on-street Pay & Display parking Countywide and will work as follows:

Motorists who pay for a minimum of 60 minutes parking will be given 60 minutes free parking time in addition to the 15 minute grace period already available throughout the County.

For example: A person who parks their car at 1pm and pays for 60 minutes parking will not have to return to their car until 3.15pm. This person has paid for 60 minutes covering them from 1pm to 2pm, they will get 60 minutes free covering them from 2pm to 3pm and will also receive the normal 15 minutes grace period covering them from 3pm to 3.15pm.

Customers do however need to be aware that the 3 hour maximum time limit designed to encourage turnover in parking spaces does still apply in the areas covered by the promotion.

Boost for Dun Laoghaire businesses as vouchers up to €500 purchased since 22nd Oct now tax free

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“The Finance Bill announced that employers will be able to gift vouchers of up to €500, tax free and today (Friday) it was confirmed that this measure has come into effect and will apply to all voucher purchased since 22nd October”, says Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor

“It is very welcome news that the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan has fast tracked these new measures and backdated them from 22nd October to allow employers to give bonus vouchers of up to €500 to employees, tax free.

“The fast tracking of this measure, to increase the value of non-cash bonuses or benefits which staff can receive from their employers without paying tax, will provide a great boost to local businesses in Dun Laoghaire.

“It is great news that the change will take effect before Christmas so employees can now benefit from this in their Christmas bonus this year.

“Up until now, an employer could provide an employee with a once-off, annual non-cash benefit to the value of €250 that was not liable for tax. The new provisions, contained in the Finance Bill, mean the maximum value of such a benefit has now been increased to €500. Anything above that will still be subject to PAYE and PRSI.

“This is a great incentive for employers to reward staff with a larger bonus for Christmas and it will provide a significant boost to the local economy, where people will spend the vouchers.”

Mitchell O’Connor calls for greater regulation and support for suppliers of assistance dogs to children with Autism

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Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire Mary Mitchell O’Connor has today (Thursday) called for greater regulation and safety standards to be imposed on private companies that supply assistance dogs to children with Autism.

Deputy Mitchell O’Connor made the call after a meeting with groups that represent the families of children with Autism.

“I requested this Health Committee meeting after witnessing first hand the life changing role that assistance dogs can play for children with Autism and their families.

“These dogs, when professionally and properly trained, can provide safety, independence and companionship to children who would otherwise live in a very isolated and chaotic world.

“There is an issue however. 700 families are now on the waiting list for these dogs and due to the shortage of assistance dogs in Ireland, families have turned to private trainers, who in many cases are, unfortunately, unqualified.

“I support Irish Assistance Dogs’ call for a number of measures to improve the situation, including:
· Assistance Dogs users to have the same legal access as guide dog users.
· All organisations, whether “not-for-profit” or “private” must ensure public liability insurance is provided for all qualified assistance dogs partnerships upon graduation.
· All organisations must as a priority ensure the welfare and safety of both the client and the dogs at all times and ensure proper procedures are in place to address any problem that would arise in this area.
· All current allowances received from revenue to guide dog users should be extended to all assistance dog users.
· All assistance dogs should be exempt from having a dog licence, in the same way as guide dogs are.

“I have seen how these dogs help to transform the lives of children and their families. We now need to take steps to ensure this important work continues and these dogs are properly trained in all cases.”

New Primary School announced for Dun Laoghaire under major school building projects list 2018

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Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire said that Dun Laoghaire is to benefit from funding under a multi-million euro school building programme for a new primary school.

“Today the Government is unveiling a major school building programme, which involves funding for a 16 classroom Primary School.

“This school building programme sets out over 310 individual major school building projects, which will proceed to construction between 2016 and 2021. Meanwhile the Government is also announcing today that 13 new primary and second-level schools are to open in 2017 and 2018.

“I’m very aware of the pressing need to provide more school places in Dun Laoghaire, in order to continue to meet the accommodation requirements of our growing school going population

“This funding will facilitate the provision of more school places in Dun Laoghaire and this significant investment will also support direct and indirect jobs in Dun Laoghaire. This is all part of Fine Gael’s plan to keep the recovery going. Job creation means more revenue for the exchequer and therefore more money to invest in the services people depend on such as schools.

“I know how vital it is to parents across Dun Laoghaire that their children are not just guaranteed a school place, but are guaranteed that they can learn and grow in a comfortable environment, which is conducive to study. Fine Gael is committed to ensuring that this happens.”