DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL
SOUTH CENTRAL AREA COMMITTEE
20th October 2021
M129 Cllrs Daithí Doolan, Sophie Nicoullaud and Darragh Moriarty
That the South Central Area Committee supports the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) and the trade unions, SIPTU & Forsa, in their opposition to the new model of employment services outlined in Pathways to Work which proposes to terminate current Job Clubs and Local Employment Services (LES) by the end of 2021 and to replace the successful 25-year-old community-led and non-profit providers with an untested, unproven centralised profit-driven model of delivery.
The Area Committee rejects the privatisation of employment services
and the move towards a system that monetises those most
disadvantaged. This approach would impact most adversely
those who have become unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic, lone
parents, people with disabilities, migrants and the underemployed
– all of whom really need access to the type of walk-in,
person-centred, community-based employment service with the
wrap-around supports that such services
provide.
The Area Committee further notes that the new model proposed in
Pathways to Work will lead to job losses for a whole body of
skilled personnel who have developed significant knowledge and
expertise in assisting those more vulnerable members of our society
to enhance their life outcomes and progress to
employment.
The Area Committee notes that the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection,
Community and Rural Development and the Islands, stated in
its pre-Budget Submission (2021)that Local Employment Services
“should be retained in their current model” and that
this submission was supported by members of all Parties.
The Area Committee supports the calls on the Minister for Social
Protection to immediately halt the process for the rollout of the
New Regional Employment Services, pending the establishment of a
working group made up of all stakeholders to review the current
process and outcomes.
The Area Committee requests that this motion be sent to the
Minister for Social Protection on adoption.
M130 Councillor Daithí Doolan
This Area Committee notes the good work done by the staff, CE & City Council staff, in the Orchard Centre. The centre continues to provide an essential service to the Cherry Orchard community and houses locally based services.
This committee further notes with concern the proposal to cut back on the centre's opening hours due to staff shortages.
To ensure the Orchard Centre remains open at the current level this Area Committee calls on Dublin City Council to provide 3 General Operatives.
M131 Councillor Vincent Jackson
That Dublin City Council look into the introduction of speed reduction measures on the lower portion of Ballyfermot Road / Sarsfield Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. The area currently has very little speed reduction measures in place and residents who have contacted all the local public representatives over the past few days following the traffic accident on Sunday 3rd of October which resulted in a death of a young man. We are asking that traffic islands similar to Upper Ballyfermot Road be positioned here, additional signage, speed cushions / rumple strips basically any measures which can reduce the potential of accidents etc.
M132 Councillor Vincent Jackson
That Dublin City Council look at the serious problems in relation to staffing levels at our local City Council Offices, lack of administrative, cleansing / parks staff, community development staff, fire brigade / ambulance. This committee looks for a round table meeting with senior officials to hear at first hand the devastating effect the current staffing levels are having on the delivery of sufficient services necessary to run the city.
M133 Councillor Vincent Jackson
That DCC management please explain why the recent proposed savage price increases in Ballyfermot Leisure Centre were not firstly discussed with the elected members of Dublin City Council. It is essential going forward that we set up a consultative group with management and service users to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Having local service user input in our leisure centres ensures that there is strong democratic accountability. I tried to bring this issue up at the last Arts, Cultural and Leisure SPC without success however I am delighted the increases were withdrawn following a public protest by local service users.
Derek Kelly
Director of Services South City
13th October 2021
Minutes:
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL
SOUTH CENTRAL AREA COMMITTEE
20th October 2021
M129 Cllrs Daithí Doolan, Sophie Nicoullaud and Darragh Moriarty
That the South Central Area Committee supports the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) and the trade unions, SIPTU & Forsa, in their opposition to the new model of employment services outlined in Pathways to Work which proposes to terminate current Job Clubs and Local Employment Services (LES) by the end of 2021 and to replace the successful 25-year-old community-led and non-profit providers with an untested, unproven centralised profit-driven model of delivery.
The Area Committee rejects the privatisation of employment services and the move
towards a system that monetises those
most disadvantaged. This approach would impact most adversely
those who have become unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic, lone
parents, people with disabilities, migrants and the underemployed
– all of whom really need access to the type of walk-in,
person-centred, community-based
employment service with the wrap-around supports that such services
provide.
The Area Committee further notes that the new model proposed in
Pathways to Work will lead to job losses for a whole body of
skilled personnel who have developed significant knowledge and
expertise in assisting those more vulnerable members of our society
to enhance their life outcomes and progress to
employment.
The Area Committee notes that the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection,
Community and Rural Development and the Islands, stated in its
pre-Budget Submission (2021)that Local Employment Services
“should be retained in their current model” and that
this submission was supported by members of all Parties.
The Area Committee supports the calls on the Minister for Social
Protection to immediately halt the process for the rollout of the
New Regional Employment Services, pending the establishment of a
working group made up of all stakeholders to review the current
process and outcomes.
The Area Committee requests that this motion be sent to the
Minister for Social Protection on adoption.
Order: Agreed to write to the Minister for Social Protection.
M130 Councillor Daithí Doolan
This Area Committee notes the good work done by the staff, CE & City Council staff, in the Orchard Centre. The centre continues to provide an essential service to the Cherry Orchard community and houses locally based services.
This committee further notes with concern the proposal to cut back on the centre's opening hours due to staff shortages.
To ensure the Orchard Centre remains open at the current level this Area Committee calls on Dublin City Council to provide 3 General Operatives.
Order: Agreed.
M131 Councillor Vincent Jackson
That Dublin City Council look into the introduction of speed reduction measures on the lower portion of Ballyfermot Road / Sarsfield Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. The area currently has very little speed reduction measures in place and residents who have contacted all the local public representatives over the past few days following the traffic accident on Sunday 3rd of October which resulted in a death of a young man. We are asking that traffic islands similar to Upper Ballyfermot Road be positioned here, additional signage, speed cushions / rumple strips basically any measures which can reduce the potential of accidents etc.
Order: Report to Councillor.
M132 Councillor Vincent Jackson
That Dublin City Council look at the serious problems in relation to staffing levels at our local City Council Offices, lack of administrative, cleansing / parks staff, community development staff, fire brigade / ambulance. This committee looks for a round table meeting with senior officials to hear at first hand the devastating effect the current staffing levels are having on the delivery of sufficient services necessary to run the city.
Order: Report to Councillor.
M133 Councillor Vincent Jackson
Can DCC management please explain why the recent proposed savage price increases in Ballyfermot Leisure Centre were not firstly discussed with the elected members of Dublin City Council? It is essential going forward that we set up a consultative group with management and service users to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Having local service user input in our leisure centres ensures that there is strong democratic accountability. I tried to bring this issue up at the last Arts, Cultural and Leisure SPC without success however I am delighted the increases were withdrawn following a public protest by local service users.
Order: Agreed that Director of Services would seek clarity on Report
provided.
Councillor Vincent Jackson
Chairperson
20th October, 2021