Constituency

The County Development Plan – Have your say

Both Councils in Dublin South are in the process of reviewing their County Development Plan. These plans set out a vision and strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the County for a six-year period in terms of physical growth and renewal, economic, social and cultural activity, and environmental protection and enhancement.

South Dublin County are currently completing the draft plan shortly and it will go out to public consultation later this year. More details can be found on www.sdcc.ie

The second phase of the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown consultation has just begun. The Draft County Development plan is available for viewing in council offices or on www.drlcoco.ie The closing date for submissions is 3rd July 2009.

Local Government Reform

The Green Party is fully committed to reforming Local Government and strengthening local democracy. My colleague John Gormley is preparing a blueprint for reforming local government that will see the introduction of a directly elected mayor for Dublin by 2011. We believe that greater local leadership, accountability and connection with the citizen can be achieved through the provision of directly elected mayors for all counties and cities.

We also introduced a spending limit of €15,000 for local election campaigns and will soon introduce a cap of €2,000 (from the current allowance of €10,000) for the amount of expenses a councillor can claim in a year for travel.

This allowance has been abused by a minority of councillors around the country who sign up for conferences, claim the taxpayer funded expenses and then leave without attending the conference. The new cap will put and end to this.

Click here more information on local government reform.

The Dublin Mountains Partnership

The Dublin Mountains are one of our greatest treasures. Few other capital cities allow one so easily to get out into the mountain air and away from it all. We have to protect and develop this asset in a way that best serves everyone’s interest.

The Dublin Mountains Partnership (DMP) is a joint initiative established to improve the recreation potential of the public lands in the Dublin Mountains. The Partnership has set out a ten year vision to improve the facilities and manage recreation and other uses of the area by upgrading trails, improving signage, providing public transport links and tackling anti social behaviour such as dumping. I have been promoting the Dublin Mountains Partnership since the beginning and as a local representative I will do everything I can to make sure it works well.

For more information see www.dublinmountains.ie

Joint Policing Committees

A Joint Policing Committee has been set up in each local authority area.

These committees will provide a forum for An Garda Síochána, elected representatives and member of the public to come together to discuss local crime issues and make recommendations for safer communities. The Committee’s function will be to monitor crime and anti-social behaviour in the local area, including levels of alcohol and drug misuse.

The Committee will also advise An Garda Síochána on how to improve their role in the community to achieve the highest possible quality of life for those who live there. Public participation will be enhanced through the hosting of public meetings to engage the wider community in issues affecting their locality.

For more information, contact the Community Department of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown

County Council, 205 4748 or in South Dublin County Council 414 9000.

Money and Budgeting Advice in Dublin South

The Dundrum / Rathfarnham and District Money Advice and Budgeting Bureau have been awarded funding for additional part time money advisor. MABS is a national, free, confidential and independent service for people who are experiencing financial difficulties or need advice on managing their money. They are open to the public from 9-5pm Mon – Fri. and are located at 1A upper, Kilmacud Road, Dundrum, Dublin 14. Call 2990360 or email dundrum@mabs.ie to make an appointment.

Walk on Wednesdays

Walking in supervised groups is a safe, fun, healthy and environmentally friendly way to get to school in the morning.

Many schools are now organising ‘Walk on Wednesdays’. This usually involves a group of teachers, parents and volunteers coming together to organise walking to school one day a week. They meet at a central place and then walk the rest of the way to school in a group.

When a walking culture has been established, you can then start a ‘Walking Bus’, which encourages pupils to walk every day. Why not ask your school about starting a walk to school scheme?

For more information log on to www.greenschoolsireland.org or call 4002223