Agenda item

Question to Chief Executive                                     South East Area Committee

                                                                                     Meeting 12^th February 2024

 

Q.1      Councillor Dermot Lacey

To ask the Manager to request the Traffic Department to respond positively to the requests contained in the email submitted with this question on behalf of Scoil Mhuire, Sandymount.

The issue seems to be when children are coming across from Gilford Park and Gilford drive the cars come very fast from Park Avenue way and it’s very dangerous, especially in the AM.  Apparently we did used to have a lollipop lady there but haven’t had that for a few years.  We were thinking a pelican/zebra crossing with a ‘slow down school crossing ahead’ sign before the end of the bend on the Park Ave side would suffice.  Since the works taking place on strand road a while back, more cars have continued to take this inland route as a short cut and traffic has increased considerably in the mornings of commuters going through to go into town via Ringsend etc.

The next crossing is all the way down by the vets and isn’t viable for families crossing where Gilford and Park Avenue road intersect.

 

Reply:

The South East Area engineer conducted an assessment at the junctions of Gilford Road/Gilford Park and Park Avenue/Gilford Drive to determine the necessity of road signs, road markings, and a pelican/zebra crossing. Following the assessment, the Traffic Advisory Group recommends installing 3 x Slow Road Markings (M106) and 2 x New School Ahead Road Signs (W141).

These measures will notify drivers about children crossing the road, enhance road safety, and create a safer environment for children commuting to Scoil Mhuire Sandymount School by mitigating traffic speed in the area.

The proposal for pedestrian crossings will undergo further analysis and be considered for inclusion in the future works program, subject to detailed design and funding.

 

 

 

 

Q.2      Councillor Tara Deacy

Over the past number of weeks, the refuse collector for the residents of Casimir Court has been unable to gain access to Casimir Court from Casimir Avenue due to cars blocking the entrance. Casimir Court is a cul de sac located directly at the end of Casimir Avenue. The sole access point is via Casimir Avenue.

The only on-street parking for residents living on Casimir Avenue is marked out by white lines along the road. However, over time the white lines have faded leaving it unclear where people can park. This has resulted in residents parking beyond the white box for cars and at the corner (and entry point) to Casimir Court. 

As a result, Greyhound Refuse and others have been unable to collect the residents refuse on a number of occasions in recent months leading to refuse sprawling across the residential area. They have informed the residents that they were unable to gain access due to cars blocking the road. 

The residents are also seriously concerned about emergency service vehicles being able to gain access to Casimir Court in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, it makes it extremely difficult for residents driving from Casimir Court to leave and gain access to Casimir Avenue due to cars parking illegally. 

Can I request that the white lines are redrawn on Casimir Avenue clearly marking where residents can park safely. Can I also ask that yellow lines are also drawn at the corner (and entry point) to Casimir Court as a matter of urgency to further prevent motorists blocking access.

 

Reply:

            The car park spaces on Casimir Avenue will be repainted by Dublin City

            Council.

 

To ensure access to the entrance of Casimir Court private development, double yellow lines are recommended at the eastern end of Casimir Avenue on both sides of the carriageway, from the end of the P&D parking until the beginning of Casimir Court.

 

Following their installation, instances of illegal or obstructive parking should be referred to Dublin Street Parking Services, DSPS (email info@dsps.ie or telephone 01 602 2500) or An Garda Síochána for enforcement.

 

Q.3      Councillor Tara Deacy

Can the street lighting at (Details Supplied) Rathfarnham Road be repaired, it is a busy junction and residents have requested it be addressed as it is hazardous in the winter evenings.

 

Reply:

The street light at (Details Supplied) Rathfarnham Road has been out of order because of an ESB supply fault (ESB cable fault). They were requested to attend to this fault quite a while ago. They will be requested again to attend to this and to make the repair of this street light a priority.

 

Q.4      Councillor Dermot Lacey

To ask the Manager if he can arrange for a back door light to be installed at (Details supplied). A tree outside the front door that has the potential to facilitate unauthorised access needs to be seriously pruned.

 

The tenant had a very traumatic experience before Christmas when an intruder tried to gain entry to her flat while she was sleeping.

Thankfully she was not harmed and the person was arrested at the scene however she has serious concerns about security issues that she feels DCC are not addressing. 

 

Reply:

Housing Maintenance has arranged for the tree to be pruned and cut back.  The fence has also been mended following the attempted break-in.  The back door light will also be repaired for the tenant.  

           

Q.5      Councillor Dermot Lacey

This Committee requests a meeting with decision makers in Uisce Eireann to discuss and resolve the increasing decreasing water supply problem in the Donnybrook area.

 

Reply:

If you can expand on the water supply problem in the Donnybrook Area, I will write to Uisce Eireann to request a meeting to discuss.

 

Q.6      Councillor Fiona Connolly

Could Brighton Avenue Rathgar be considered for pay and display parking? Could residents of Brighton Avenue be balloted for Pay & Display that includes a proposal for double yellow lines along the corner section of Brighton Avenue.

 

Reply:

The area engineer has assessed the site at Brighton Avenue Rathgar for the introduction of a Pay & Display and Permit parking arrangement. The road width measures 4.0m – 6.0m, which would allow for one sided parking.

 

To apply for a ballot for a Pay and Display and Permit scheme

 

Please click on the link below for Criteria and request form

 

https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/parking-dublin-city-centre/start-parking-scheme

Dublin City Council can proceed with the preparation of a Pay & Display and Permit Parking Scheme on the road and subsequent ballot of residents where there is a demonstrable and clear desire in favour of a Scheme, i.e. 35% of households in favour of the request. This may take the form of a number of written requests or ideally a signed petition from the residents of the road (details supplied). A request for a Parking Scheme will be referred to the Traffic Advisory Group for examination and report. A petition per road or street would be required.

 

Q.7      Councillor Fiona Connolly

Could the lines on Casmir Road outside Casmir court be reinstated as a matter of urgency as the parking is unclear come people are taking advantage and causing blockages which prevent bin lorries from accessing Casmir Court and in the event of an emergency would block access by emergency vehicles.  Please see the attached photos to illustrate the issue.

 

 

Reply:

The car park spaces on Casimir Avenue will be repainted by Dublin City

Council.

 

To ensure access to the entrance of Casimir Court private development,

double yellow lines are recommended at the eastern end of Casimir Avenue

on the sides of  the carriageway, from the end of the P&D parking until the

beginning of Casimir Court.

                       

 Following their installation, instances of illegal or obstructive parking should

           be referred to Dublin Street Parking Services, DSPS (e-mail info@dsps.ie

           or telephone 01 6022500) or An Garda Síochána for enforcement.

 

Q.8      Councillor Fiona Connolly

There is an issue of persistent flooding due to blocked gullies on Orwell Road. Would it be possible to have increased gully cleaning Orwell Road. In particular at (Details Supplied) Orwell Road. Cars regularly inadvertently splash pedestrians as they cannot avoid the puddles as they pass.

 

Reply:

The gullies have been cleaned as follows:

           

·         Orwell Road – 10 of 10 gullies cleaned on 25/01/2024.

 

The gullies at nos. 4 – 6 are on the priority cleaning list and are cleaned every 6 – 8 weeks.  The gully at no.4 is with Drainage Division for repair.

 

Q.9      Councillor Deirdre Conroy

To ask the Chief Executive and Local Area Manager and Roads Dept. in regard to Enquiry on behalf of the residents of Casimir Court, Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6W, re: bin collections not working, and cars illegally blocking the road.

 

Enquiry:

Over the past number of weeks our refuse collector has been unable to gain access to Casimir Court from Casimir Avenue due to cars blocking the entrance. Casimir Court is a cul de sac located directly at the end of Casimir Avenue. The sole access point is via Casimir Avenue. The only on-street parking for residents living on Casimir Avenue is marked out by white lines along the road. However, over time the white lines have faded leaving it unclear where people can park. This has resulted in residents parking beyond the white box for cars and at the corner (and entry point) to Casimir Court.

 

As a result, Greyhound Refuse has been unable to collect our refuse on a number of occasions in recent months leading to refuse sprawling across the residential area. They have informed us that they were unable to gain access due to cars blocking the road.  There are also serious concerns about emergency service vehicles being able to gain access to Casimir Court in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, it makes it extremely difficult for residents driving from Casimir Court to leave and gain access to Casimir Avenue due to cars parking illegally. 

 

We, the residents, kindly request that the white lines are redrawn on Casimir Avenue clearly marking where residents can park safely. Furthermore, we ask that yellow lines are also drawn at the corner (and entry point) to Casimir Court to further prevent motorists blocking access. I have included recent picture which will give you some indication of the problem. The arrows highlight where the white lines have faded and where cars double park. 

 

Reply:

The car park spaces on Casimir Avenue will be repainted by Dublin City

Council.

To ensure access to the entrance of Casimir Court private development, double yellow lines are recommended at the eastern end of Casimir Avenue on both sides of the carriageway, from the end of the P&D parking until the beginning of Casimir Court.

 

Following their installation, instances of illegal or obstructive parking should be referred to Dublin Street Parking Services, DSPS (e-mail info@dsps.ie or telephone 01 602 2500) or An Garda Síochána for enforcement.

 

Q.10    Councillor Deirdre Conroy

To ask the Chief Executive and Local Area Manager, in regard to enquiry by Julian

Benson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on Grosvenor Road.

 

Enquirer:

 

We at the Julian Benson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recently submitted an application for the suspension of paid parking spaces to the Dublin Parking Policy and Enforcement Section. The Foundation is undertaking a renovation project at 58 Grosvenor Road in Rathgar in order to construct an accommodation facility for the families of Cystic Fibrosis patients

 

undergoing treatment in Dublin hospitals. The renovation work is estimated to last from 8th January 2024 to August 2024. The project is also being filmed as part of an RTE Room to Improve television special. 

 

Volunteers from all over Ireland are kindly donating their time and skills to this project, so we do not want to put the onus of finding and paying for parking on them. We requested suspension of paid parking spaces for 4 vehicles, two days per week, from 8am to 5pm. During the month of April there will also be a 10 day period of intense work being done at the house where we will likely have 100 volunteers onsite each day and would need the spaces from 7am to 7pm.  

 

We received a response as follows: 

 

Unfortunately we will not be able to grant this suspension as the parking of private vehicles is not permitted in the bays suspended, bays can be suspended for deliveries but not for parking. Anyone wishing to use Grosvenor Road can pay for the parking at the meter or also by using www.parkingtag.ie. 

 

As a charity, the fee of €2 per parking space per hour would be extremely burdensome financially and it would not be appropriate for us to ask out volunteers to cover this cost on their own. Please let us know if there is any way that we might be able to find a solution that would allow our volunteers to park in the area at no or minimal cost during the renovation works. 

 

If DCC is interested about the Foundation and project, Louise Doogan our CEO would be happy to meet up and give a personal tour of the building. 

 

Reply:

The request for the provision of reserved car parking spaces on Grosvenor Road has been reviewed and unfortunately this request cannot be facilitated. No parking bays on a public road where a residential parking and pay and display scheme can be reserved for the parking of other private vehicles. The street is already in heavy demand from permit holders and applications for suspensions have to be considered the demand on the street already. If a suspension is required for other purposes another application can be considered separately. Suspensions of parking bays can be considered for other purposes such as access for construction sites or filming for example. When the filming is taking place or the intense work for the 10 day period in April requires parking bays for deliveries or construction equipment, an application can be reconsidered. The length of time and the amount of spaces requested will be considered with the demand from permit holders and residents in mind.

 

Q.11    Councillor Mannix Flynn

Can the manager investigate the proliferation of what’s termed ‘air b and b lock boxes’ in and around the SEA. These locks are attached to railings and DCC cycling infrastructure.

 

Please see the following four examples in Barnardo Square, Essex Street, Burgh Quay and Eustace Street.

 

 

Reply:

Any lock boxes at the locations above that are on the public roadway will be removed by the Environment & Transportation Department.

 

Q.12    Councillor Mannix Flynn

Can the manager give an update on the deep clean of Bishop Streets flats that was agreed on before Christmas.

 

Reply:

The deep clean of Bishop Street Flats is near completion. Three large skip bags of rubbish and garden waste are being removed during the week ending the 2^nd February 2024. Power washing of the stairwell and surrounding areas are due to take place the week beginning 5^th February 2024. 

 

Q.13    Councillor Mannix Flynn

Can the manager initiate a meeting of the residents of Glovers Court with the DCC housing Department design team in order to discuss the vision for Glovers Court flat complex.  It is very important that the residents of this flat complex be included in this design process from the outset.

 

Reply:

The regeneration of Glovers Court has Stage 1 project and funding approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the redevelopment of Glover Court.

An integrated design team has been appointed to redevelop the housing scheme and they are currently working on design proposals and site surveys.

An information evening with residents and local elected members is currently being organised and an information leaflet will be circulated to all to advise of the date and time ahead of this taking place.

 

Q.14    Councillor Mannix Flynn

Can the manager give an update on the agreed school zone process for St Enda’s at Whitefriar Street.

 

Reply:

St Enda’s Primary School has applied for a School Zone and is on the School Zone waiting list. At the moment the team does not have funding to progress School Zone applications outside of the Safe Routes to School Round 2 list, which is funded by the National Transport Authority. While the National Transport Authority’s funding for 2024 has not yet been finalised, we do not anticipate that funding will be allocated to schools on the School Zone waiting list. The team hopes to be in a position to progress works on the waiting list subject to securing alternative funding.

 

Q.15    Councillor Mannix Flynn

Can the manager issue a full report as to how many premises are in default of their street furniture license fees and if DCC intends to conduct a full overview of how the street furniture operations in the city centre are progressing. Further, what initiatives does DCC have when a restaurant/cafe is in financial difficulty due to a downturn in trade regarding street furniture fees bearing in mind the recent closures of restaurants and cafes it is imperative that DCC address this issue in a positive fashion.

 

Reply:

As of 30^th January there are 254 current Street Furniture Licences in Dublin City.  Businesses who default on payment or are in breach of their licences are contacted and attempts to remediate the issues are taken by the Enforcement Officers and the Administration Team  The Street Furniture team engage with each business directly and will facilitate as appropriate with regard to all issues arising including financial difficulties.  Currently there is no facility to accommodate stage payments.

 

Q.16    Councillor Mannix Flynn

Can the manager give an update with regards the repairs of a senior citizens home in (details supplied) that was damaged by a leak?

 

Reply:

A contractor is scheduled to call to the property, Saturday February 10^th, to repair the ceiling and paint as soon as the plastering is dry.

 

Q.17    Councillor Mannix Flynn

Can the manager give an update on the progress of Temple Bar Square?  This update to include whether DCC intend to refurbish the very dilapidated side streets that lead into this rejuvenated public square bearing in mind that these streets are seriously dilapidated and are a public health and safety issue because of their complete disintegration.

 

Reply:

Paving works are largely complete on Temple Bar Square. Tree planting will be carried out before the end of February, and installation of benches and public lighting columns will follow. Paving works have commenced on Crown Alley since January 2024.

 

The Temple Bar Square Area Improvement Scheme includes complete reconstruction of footpaths and carriageways on Crown Alley, Temple Bar and parts of Cope St and Fownes St Upper. The project team is working on a proposal to include reconstruction of Fownes St Lower. The scope of works will be developed before the end of Q1 2024. The implementation of this proposal is subject to the availability of additional funding.

 

Additional works could be considered on other adjacent streets in the area should funding be available. However, their inclusion under this contract may not be possible without breaching procurement thresholds.

 

Q.18    Councillor Mannix Flynn

Can the manager examine the possibility of placing a sign in Barnardo Square that City Hall is open to the public and to visitors?

 

Reply:

I will discuss possible options with the Conservation Architect allocated to the building.  The space is tights as we cannot block the public path or the entry door.  It might be possible to place a sign on the Square with necessary permissions from relevant department.

 

Q.19    Councillor Mannix Flynn

Can the manager issue a full report as to how many weddings and ceremonies have taken place in City Hall and how much money DCC has made as a result of these hiring fees for the rotunda over the past two years.

 

Reply:

There were 219 wedding ceremonies in 2022 - €273,750 (€210,787.50 net when VAT paid)

 

There were 202 wedding ceremonies in 2023 - €252,500 (€194,425 net when VAT paid)

 

The Cost of a wedding ceremony in city hall is €1250 inclusive of 23% VAT.

 

Q.20    Councillor Mannix Flynn

Can the manager give a full update and progress report as to how the former Filmbase building Curve Street is progressing? This report to include what rents are being collected here? What is the long term vision for this building? What engagement the local community, if any, have had regarding this building.

 

Reply:

In June 2022, Temple Bar Cultural Trust (TBCT), in collaboration with the Dublin City Arts Office, sought expressions of interest from cultural entities for vacant space in 2 Curved Street. A committee comprising of DCC officials, TBCT directors and independent cultural professionals was set up to assess the 37 proposals received. Two cultural organisations: Visual Artists Ireland and Dublin Youth Theatre; were selected as the preferred candidates following the process. As part of their proposals both organisations outlined their keen interest in engaging with the local community. Opportunities may be explored further as their tenure in Curved Street is secured.

 

TBCT has been negotiating terms with both entities regarding tenancies in Curved Street as the building is prepared for their particular requirements. In September 2023, VAI took occupancy of 2^nd floor offices in Curved Street. Plans are currently being made for DYT to initially move their administrative function to Curved Street while the building is redesigned to suit the wider needs of their organisation. Both organisations have been offered rents on abated terms in common with all other cultural tenants of TBCT.

 

Q.21    Councillor Mannix Flynn

Can the manager give a full update report regarding the progress of DCC’s engagement with the taking in charge of Werburgh Street Church?

 

Reply:

The City Valuers Office is in advanced discussions with representatives from Christchurch Cathedral regarding the future ownership, refurbishment and operation of this building for cultural purposes

 

Q.22    Councillor Pat Dunne

Over the past number of weeks our refuse collector has been unable to gain access to Casimir Court from Casimir Avenue due to cars blocking the entrance. Casimir Court is a cul de sac located directly at the end of Casimir Avenue. The sole access point is via Casimir Avenue. The only on-street parking for residents living on Casimir Avenue is marked out by white lines along the road. However, over time the white lines have faded leaving it unclear where people can park. This has resulted in residents parking beyond the white box for cars and at the corner (and entry point) to Casimir Court. 

As a result, Greyhound Refuse has been unable to collect our refuse on a number of occasions in recent months leading to refuse sprawling across the residential area. They have informed us that they were unable to gain access due to cars blocking the road.  There are also serious concerns about emergency service vehicles being able to gain access to Casimir Court in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, it makes it extremely difficult for residents driving from Casimir Court to leave and gain access to Casimir Avenue due to cars parking illegally. 

 

We, the residents, kindly request that the white lines are redrawn on Casimir Avenue clearly marking where residents can park safely. Furthermore, we ask that yellow lines are also drawn at the corner (and entry point) to Casimir Court to further prevent motorists blocking access over the past number of weeks our refuse collector has been unable to gain access to Casimir Court from Casimir Avenue due to cars blocking the entrance. Casimir Court is a cul de sac located directly at the end of Casimir Avenue. The sole access point is via Casimir Avenue. The only on-street parking for residents living on Casimir Avenue is marked out by white lines along the road. However, over time the white lines have faded leaving it unclear where people can park. This has resulted in residents parking beyond the white box for cars and at the corner (and entry point) to Casimir Court. 

As a result, Greyhound Refuse has been unable to collect our refuse on a number of occasions in recent months leading to refuse sprawling across the residential area. They have informed us that they were unable to gain access due to cars blocking the road.  There are also serious concerns about emergency service vehicles being able to gain access to Casimir Court in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, it makes it extremely difficult for residents driving from Casimir Court to leave and gain access to Casimir Avenue due to cars parking illegally. 

 

We, the residents, kindly request that the white lines are redrawn on Casimir Avenue clearly marking where residents can park safely. Furthermore, we ask that yellow lines are also drawn at the corner (and entry point) to Casimir Court to further prevent motorists blocking access

 

Reply:

The car park spaces on Casimir Avenue will be repainted by Dublin City Council.

To ensure access to the entrance of Casimir Court private development, double yellow lines are recommended at the eastern end of Casimir Avenue on both sides of the carriageway, from the end of the P&D parking until the beginning of Casimir Court.

Following their installation, instances of illegal or obstructive parking should be referred to Dublin Street Parking Services, DSPS (e-mail info@dsps.ie or telephone 01 602 2500) or An Garda Síochána for enforcement.

 

Q.23    Councillor Paddy McCarten

To ask the manager to have the leaves cleared on St Marys Road Ballsbridge as they are blocking the drains.

 

Reply:

Waste Management Services had the leaves cleared from the above mentioned road on the 30^th January 2024.

 

Q.24    Councillor Paddy McCarten

To ask the manager to deal with the following issue from a constituent that is going on since 2019.

 

He writes,

"I have been in touch with your previously (2019 - see below) regarding the lampposts on Lower Beechwood Avenue Ranelagh. Unfortunately there has been no change since we were initially in contact. Given the lack of action on this issue and the multiple other issues that have remained unaddressed on Lower Beechwood Avenue I think it is reasonable to say that the road has been abandoned by Dublin City Council in terms of any strategic improvement

Plans or investment

The two major issues that urgently need to be addressed are:

 

1.    Lamp posts

There are 12 lamp posts on Lower Beechwood Avenue consisting of 3 different types. There are two of the original ones which are in keeping with the style of surrounding roads, there are 3 plain metal posts which can also be found on neighbouring roads. There are 7 pre-cast concrete posts, perhaps dating from the 70s. This type of post is not present on any of the other residential roads in the area, should never have been installed on a Victorian streetscape and significantly detract from the visual aspect of Lower Beechwood Avenue. In 2014, I wrote to the council to notify them that the precast concrete lamp posts on the road were, quite literally, falling apart and as such represented a danger to road users. I asked that the replacement of the lamp posts be planned. The response to this request was to wrap black plastic around the lamp posts. To this day, nearly 10 years later, despite our efforts and the efforts of other residents, the temporary black plastic remains wrapped around the still crumbling lamp posts

 

2.      RoadSurface

The road surface on Lower Beechwood Avenue is in very poor condition. I don't ever recall the road being resurfaced in my 30 years here. Potholes appear on the road on a regular basis and when reported, these are filled in with a few shovels of tarmac by a passing lorry. There is no effort to make a professional or long-lasting repair probably because there is no point as the road needs to be completely resurfaced.

What I would like to know is why Dublin City Council have been unwilling over the past 10 - 15 years to carry out any works on Lower Beechwood Avenue? Would you be able to provide me with this information”?

 

Reply:

It is planned to upgrade all street lights in the City Council’s administrative area to LED street lights under the Lighting Upgrade Project over the course of the next 5 to 8 years.

With regard to the concrete lamp standards on Beechwood Avenue Lower these will be replaced with lamp standards that are sympathetic to this street under our Lighting

Upgrade Project. While an exact timeframe for this work of cannot be provided at this time it is anticipated that this work will be completed within the next three years.

In the meantime maintenance of the existing street lights will continue in accordance with normal maintenance regimes until such time as the above upgrade works are completed. 

 

 Reply:

 Lower Beechwood Avenue has been assessed and will be included in the  

 Road Maintenance Services – Works Programme for 2024.

                                                                                      

Q.25    Councillor Paddy McCarten

To ask the manager to deal with the following issue from a constituent.

 

He writes,

 

"I moved in August from Cabinteely (DLRCOCO) to Sandymount and I am shocked at the prevalence of footpath dog fouling at a level I have never come across before, anywhere.  This morning I counted 8, yes 8, dog fouling deposits in a short <100 m section of Strand Road between Lea Road and Newgrove Avenue. Yesterday I found dog foul on the wheels of my daughter’s child buggy after arriving home from a walk in the dark. 

 

I also know a wheelchair user living in Gilford who uses Durham as a route to the village shopping and who prefers to use the road rather than the footpath as there is less chance of contamination of her hands.
I suspect the culprit dog owner(s) walk at night or early morning. Can I please appeal to someone to help"?

 

Reply:

Dublin City Council have run a number of awareness campaigns to remind dog owners and dog walkers of their responsibility to  immediately clean-up after their dog and to “Bag it and Bin it”.  Free doggie bags are available at all council offices and libraries.

 

New signage will be put in place at (Details Supplied).

 

Q.26    Councillor Paddy McCarten

To ask the manager to deal with the following issue from a resident in Greenfield Park Donnybrook, (Details supplied)

 

He writes.

 

We cannot turn our car left out of the driveway due to the disc parking box coming so close to our entrance. Interestingly the council refused permission to widen our entrance from 2.9m to the maximum allowed 3.6m due to this disc parking adjacent to our entrance. We feel this line needs to move back about 2m to clear the way for proper access to the road".

 

Reply:

The Southeast area engineer has assessed the traffic situation outside property (Details Supplied) Greenfield Park. The Transport Advisory Group (TAG) has no objection in principle to reducing the length of the existing Pay & Display and Permit (P&D) parking at the site. However, this is subject to obtaining planning permission for widening the gate from the Dublin City Council Planning Department and the relevant fees for reduction of existing parking space.

 

Q.27    Councillor Paddy McCarten

To ask the manager to deal with the following issue from a constituent.

 

She writes,

 

"Upper Baggot Street is already brightening up with the good work of Dublin City Council.

We have some planters, benches are on the way, some sprucing up and painting of poles and rubbish bins happened last August in advance of the big American football match. We would like some more trees. 

 

More are needed. 

 

It is a splendid vibrant street.  Thousands of visitors congregate on a regular basis on their way to matches, concerts, and whatever on a regular basis. 

We need to make it a destination 'piazza' and restore it to its true glory the principal street of the Pembroke district.

 

Your help is required to continue the refurbishment of the street. It is high time that for the landmark buildings of Baggot Street Hospital be refurbished and put to use in some way. Excuse after excuse has been sent our way.  Dáil questions and F.O.I s have been instigated on our behalf. The hospital was established with a charitable and community function. The red brick building on Upper Baggot Street is an eye sore, and will be dangerous if allowed to fall apart.

 

We are tired of hearing that it is unsuitable for this or for that, or that there is asbestos in the building fabric, or that in due course some of it will be put to use (usually the Haddington Road buildings).Or indeed that the HSE is dire at communication.

The building should not be the way it is. It has proudly served the immediate community since the 1830s. And can again".

 

Reply:

The South East Area Office has been working proactively with Reps. of business/resident association’s from the Baggot Street Upper Area and we

have completed work on the public realm in advance of the American Football game last year. We are continuing to liaise with City Architects in relation to providing new public benches on the street and we hope to have them in place by early Summer. There are trees on Baggot Street Upper and the request for more trees will need to be examined in the context of Bus Connects plans for Baggot Street. Baggot Street Hospital is in the ownership of the HSE and DCC’s Enforcement/Conservation Section are currently in communication with the HSE on this matter.

 

Q.28    Councillor Anne Feeney

To ask the Manager to repair the light situated at a busy junction at (Details Supplied).

 

Reply:

The street light at (Details Supplied) Rathfarnham Road has been out of order because of an ESB supply fault (ESB cable fault). They were requested to attend to this fault quite a while ago. They will be requested again to attend to this and to make the repair this street light a priority.

 

Q.29    Councillor Anne Feeney

To ask the Manager for a list of the derelict sites in the Kimmage Rathmines LEA and advise which sites have had fines issued and if they have been paid/collected.

 

Reply:

The following properties in the Kimmage Rathmines LEA are entered on the Derelict Sites Register (“the DSR”). Derelict Sites Levies have been demanded since their entry on the DSR and there are outstanding levies in all cases. The levy currently is 7% of market value and becomes payable on 1^st January following entry on the DSR and outstanding levies attract interest of 1.5% per month. Derelict sites legislation provides that unpaid levies, including interest, automatically become a charge on the land and will remain a charge until the full amount is discharged. If and when a derelict site with a charge is subject to a sale, purchasers will require vendors to have the charge removed as part of the conveyance process. The Council has experienced an increase in the number of derelict sites being brought to the market in recent years with a resultant increase in levy payments.

 

DS  Ref	Site	Date of Entry on DSR
DS1526	398/398a Clonard Road, Kimmage, D12.	2023
DS1281	Site on Brickfield Drive, Crumlin, D12.	2023
DS1033	146 Harold's Cross Road, D6.	2018
DS884	Unit 4, Greenmount Industrial Estate, D12.	2015
DS851	Wharton Hall, Wharton Terrace, D6.	2014
* DS250	144 Harold's Cross Road, D6.	2007

 

 *Levy not applicable as it is in Council ownership.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q.30    Councillor Anne Feeney

To ask the Manager to have the ramps at the junction of Hazelbrook Road, Terenure and Lower Kimmage Road repaired as they are in a very poor state and dangerous for bicycles.

 

Reply:

The Area Engineer has added the ramp for repair at the junction of Hazelbrook Road, Terenure and Lower Kimmage Road to the list of civil works for 2024.

 

Q.31    Councillor Anne Feeney

To ask the Manager to address the unacceptable situation where residents of Casimir Court, Harold’s Cross are without a refuse collection for a number of recent weeks due to the fact that the refuse collection providers are unable to gain access to Casimir Court from Casimir Avenue due to cars blocking the entrance.  Casimir Court is a cul de sac located directly at the end of Casimir Avenue (the sole access point to Casimir Court).  The only on-street parking for residents living on Casimir Avenue is marked out by white lines along the road.  However, over time the white lines have faded leaving it unclear where people can park. 

 

This has resulted in residents parking beyond the white box for cars and at the corner (and entry point) to Casimir Court. As a result, Greyhound Refuse has been unable to collect refuse on a number of occasions recently leading to refuse remaining across the residential area.  This situation is unacceptable and could be remedied by the following:

 

1.      Repainting of the white lines on Casimir Avenue clearly marking where residents can park safely

2.      Drawing of double yellow lines at the corner and entry point to Casimir Avenue

3.      Enforcement of parking rules

 

Reply:

The car park spaces on Casimir Avenue will be repainted by Dublin City Council.

 

To ensure access to the entrance of Casimir Court private development, double yellow lines are recommended at the eastern end of Casimir Avenue on both sides of the carriageway, from the end of the P&D parking until the beginning of Casimir Court.

 

Following their installation, instances of illegal or obstructive parking should be referred to Dublin Street Parking Services, DSPS (email info@dsps.ie or tel. no. 01 602 2500) or An Garda Síochána for enforcement.

 

Parking Enforcement Part Reply:

Dublin Street Parking Services will patrol the area and take enforcement action where necessary.

 

Q.32    Councillor Carolyn Moore

To ask the area manager if the trees in Mount Argus Estate could be assessed for potential pruning ahead of the nesting season, particularly where trees are blocking street lighting. There is one tree directly opposite the side gate to Houben House which is in front of and completely blocking the only street light on this stretch of the road. In light of security concerns and recent break-ins this should be prioritised for pruning ASAP. 

 

Reply:

Parks will arrange for a light pruning of this tree over the coming weeks.

 

 

Q.33    Councillor Carolyn Moore

Can the double yellow lines at the entrance to St Louis Convent on Charleville Road be extended past the dished kerb on the left side of the gates? Currently the right side of the gates has double yellow lines running from the gates around the kerb onto the road, but only 1m of DYL on the left side. As a result there are constantly vehicles parking at the gate, blocking access to the dished kerb for pedestrians and wheelchair users and visibility to those exiting the gate.

 

Reply:

The Southeast area engineer has assessed road markings at St Louis Convent on Charleville Road for extending the Double Yellow Lines (DYL) on the Eastern side of the access. It appears that road works occurred between 2014 and 2018, causing the loss of DYL at this corner. The area engineer will inform the road marking team to reinstate the DYL at the site.

 

Reply:

In relation to the Road Marking element this will be checked within 30 days.

 

Q.34    Councillor Carolyn Moore

To ask the area manager if the existing ‘no left turn sign’ from Rathmines Road Lower onto Wynnefield Road can be supported with an additional ‘NO ENTRY’ painted onto the road at the entrance to Wynnefield Road? Locals who use the road report confusion about the no left turn and regularly encounter vehicles turning off Rathmines Road Lower. 

 

Reply:

The appropriate road markings are currently in place at the junction of Wynnefield Road and Rathmines Road Lower. The carriageway is too narrow to provide worded “No Entry” markings at this location.

 

However, it has been observed that a “No Entry” sign is currently missing from the junction of Rathmines Road. This signage will be provided in due course.

 

Reply:

In relation to the Road Marking element this will be checked within 30 days.

 

Q.35    Councillor Carolyn Moore

To ask the area manager if the white lines demarcating on-street parking spaces on Casimir Court can be repainted or refreshed, and if Double Yellow Lines can be added where the road narrows at the entrance to Casimir Court. Parking outside of the demarcated spaces is blocking access to Casimir Court and preventing bin collections from taking place. The sole access point to Casimir Court is via Casimir Avenue. The on-street parking for residents living on Casimir Avenue is marked out by white lines along the road. These lines have faded over time leaving it unclear where people can park. This has resulted in residents parking beyond the white box and at the corner (and entry point) to Casimir Court, blocking access for large vehicles. 

 

Reply:

The car park spaces on Casimir Avenue will be repainted by Dublin City Council.

 

To ensure access to the entrance of Casimir Court private development, double yellow lines are recommended at the eastern end of Casimir Avenue on both sides of the carriageway, from the end of the P&D parking until the beginning of Casimir Court.

 

Following their installation, instances of illegal or obstructive parking should be referred to Dublin Street Parking Services, DSPS (email info@dsps.ie or tel. no. 01 602 2500) or An Garda Síochána for enforcement.

 

Q.36    Councillor Carolyn Moore

To ask the area manager for a timeline for the replacement of trees recently removed from Derry Road due to storm damage and infection. Residents would like to see the trees replaced with on-street planting on their road rather than compensated for with nearby planting and are keen to see this take place as soon as possible.

 

Reply:

Parks are hoping to reinstate tree planting in a number of pits along Derry

Road in the coming weeks. It is anticipated this work will be completed by

end Feb.

 

Q.37    Councillor Carolyn Moore

The bus stop outside number (Details Supplied) St. Agnes Park has been removed leaving a large off-road lay-by. Can the area manager outline what is intended for this space, and could it infilled and turned into a green space before it becomes an unofficial parking bay?

 

Reply:

Both the NTA and Dublin Bus have confirmed that a new bus route is planned for St. Agnes Park and will be launched in early 2025. This unused bus stop will be brought back into use.

 

Q.38    Councillor Carolyn Moore

Could the area manager provide an update for the resurfacing of footpaths on Lismore Road. They were on the programme of works for 2023. Is there a commencement date for this work?

 

Reply:

Resurfacing of footpaths on Lismore Road is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2024.

 

Q.39    Councillor Carolyn Moore

To ask the area manager if the paths and walls in and around Bangor Circle can be deep cleaned? There is a slippy moss forming on the paths that is causing a safety concern, particularly for elderly residents.

 

Reply:

Waste Management Services will have this work carried out by the end of the month.

 

Q.40    Councillor Claire Byrne

To ask the Area Manager can he please address the issue and carry out some enforcement around the storage of private wheelie bins on public footpaths at Stella Gardens houses who have storage capacity are leaving bins on the footpaths.

 

Reply:

The Litter Enforcement Manager was made aware of the issue in Stella Gardens on Philomena Terrace. Leaflets and letters were sent to the households storing bins on the footpaths but did little to improve the situation. Requests for the names of the people holding accounts with Greyhound were requested through Waste Enforcement. Fines were issued to people storing their wheeled bins on the footpaths. Those bins with no active account were removed. The situation has improved on Philomena Terrace. I have now been made aware of the same situation going on in Veronica Terrace. I will take the same action here which should see an improvement.

 

Q.41    Councillor Claire Byrne

To ask the Area Manager can he please take action on the dog waste issue in Ringsend, in particular, Stella Gardens? Can he please install more bins in the area as one possible solution?

 

Reply:

The Litter Enforcement Manager will ask the litter wardens to patrol Stella Gardens more regularly going forward. Action will be taken under the Litter Pollution Acts 1997-2009 should any offence be committed while the wardens are present. There are no plans for extra litter bins for this area at this time.

 

Q.42    Councillor Claire Byrne

To ask the Area Manager to provide an update on plans for the old City Arts Centre building and the buildings to rear on Moss Street which have been lying vacant for many years.

 

Reply:

That building is privately owned. I noticed that the owner was reported in the press as seeking demolition.

 

Q.43    Councillor Claire Byrne

To ask the Area Manager can he please include Stella Gardens in the footpath improvements scheme 2024? They are in desperate need of repair and causing trip hazards.

 

Reply:

The Councillor has been asked for further clarification and when this is received a reply will issue.

 

Q.44    Councillor Claire Byrne

To ask the Area Manager if he can please explore the possibility of utilising the vacant space on the corner of Lombard Street West and Clanbrassil Street. I understand that this is private ownership, but it has been lying vacant for years now, and some interim greening or biodiversity measures would improve the area.

 

Reply:

The South East Area Office will make enquiries regarding the ownership of this space and will revert to the Councillor.

 

Q.45    Councillor Claire Byrne

That this Area Committee calls on the Area Manager to please install a handrail on the stairs at the end of Aikenhead Terrace that lead up to the Dodder walkway to assist the elderly residents.

 

Reply:

This matter is being examined and a reply will issue ASAO.

 

Q.46    Councillor Claire Byrne

To ask the Area Manager can he please provide a full list of the works that are currently being carried and those that are planned for Ringsend Park?

 

Reply:

Strasburg entrance is nearing completion of its upgrade as part of Irish Waters reinstatement.  A water fountain has been installed in the park and is waiting on commissioning by DCC water. New signage panel with a location map is ready to be installed at the St Patricks Villas entrance area.

 

Pollinator friendly bulbs have been added to the existing display of spring bulbs beside the playgrounds, to extend their season and improve their benefits to biodiversity. The Green Flag will be raised in the park following Ringsend Park achieving its first ever Green Flag Award for 2023-2024.

 

Tree maintenance will continue following on from the recent tree survey carried out in 2023.400 meters of native hedge is being planted along the boundary between

Pigeon House road and Cambridge road.

600 linear meters of boundary railings have been cleaned and repainted in the last few months, with a further 250 linear meters of railings is in the process of being painted.

 

Q.47    Councillor Pat Dunne

Could consideration be given to installing traffic calming on Rutland Avenue? It is a narrow road with often limited visibility due to cars parked on either side of road, and drivers often pass at very high speeds on the this road, without regard for cyclists, children or pets who may be crossing. This represents a hazard to the neighbourhood and residents.

 

Reply:

The South East area engineer has conducted an assessment of Rutland Avenue regarding the need for additional traffic calming measures. The road spans less than 600 meters in length, measures 5.5 meters in width, and includes 6 speed ramps (1/100 meters). It also features on-street parking and multiple vehicular entrances. Additionally:

 

1.    The road is already subject to a speed limit of 30kph, serving as a regulatory measure to ensure safe driving speeds.

 

2.    The presence of free on-street parking along Rutland Avenue naturally slows traffic by narrowing the roadway and requiring vehicles to manoeuvre cautiously.

 

3.    Multiple vehicular entrances to private premises along the road also contribute to reduced traffic speed by necessitating increased caution and awareness from drivers.

 

4.     Any vehicle found not adhering to road regulations should be reported to the local Garda station.

 

Rutland Avenue / Clogher Road   Rutland Avenue / Crumlin Road

    

 

Based on the area engineer’s assessment, the Transport Advisory Group (TAG) does not recommend additional traffic calming measures on Rutland Avenue, however road markings will be repainted at the junction of Rutland Avenue / Crumlin Road.

 

In relation to the Road Marking element this will be checked within 30 days.

 

Q.48    Councillor Pat Dunne

Can the following request be addressed.

 

About a year or two ago, road markings and yield signs were installed around the triangle on Clonmacnoise road. However, 2 junctions on the triangle didn't get any road markings. Cars cut around these into oncoming traffic all the time, as they are very wide junctions. Just 2 weeks ago, a van turned right from Clonard road onto Clonmacnoise at location 1 on the photo and went straight into the lamp post outside 182 Clonmacnoise road.

It's only a matter of time before this happens again, or something more serious.

Could road markings be put down at location 1 and 2 to clearly show drivers where the centre of the road is and aid them in turning?

 

Also, pedestrian access on and off the triangle is very dangerous. There should be proper pedestrian crossings at the 3 exit/ entrance points, and wheelchair accessible points at these junctions. The paths on this green lead right into the middle of 3 vehicle junctions making it very difficult for pedestrians to cross the road safely. If this could be looked at as a priority, it would be fantastic.

 

Reply:

The yield line marking issues outlined above requires further investigation by the Area Engineer. A service request has been created to effect this action. Enquiry No. 7037453 refers.  The Councillor will be informed of the recommendation in due course.

 

Reply:

In relation to the Road Marking element this will be checked within 30 days.

 

Q.49    Councillor Pat Dunne

Can the following request be addressed.

 

A resident from Saul road was in contact about dog dirt on the streets everywhere. I suggested that the best that might be able to be done is that the roads around Saul Road (Slane/Downpatrick) are cleaned by the council.

 

Reply: 

Arrangements have been made to have the roads cleaned as requested

 

Q.50    Councillor Fiona Connolly

Bus stop 1167 on Rathgar Avenue is difficult to navigate as a pedestrian or with a buggy as there are two poles and a bin on a very narrow footpath. Would it be possible for DCC to examine this bus stop to see if there is a better layout for the poles and bin? Many residents are reporting this particular bus stop difficult to navigate. The suggestion is that the bin being moved would alleviate the issue. Please see the attached a photo.

 

Reply:

Waste Management Services will have this location assessed to see if the bin can be moved to a better position at this location.

 

Q.51    Councillor Daithí Doolan

To ask the Area Manager if he could liaise with Mount Tallant Boxing Club, details enclosed, as a matter of urgency. The heating in the gym is very outdated and not working properly. They think it has become a fire hazard. The windows in the gym also won't open.

(Details Supplied)

 

Reply:

By way of background, the boxing club is currently over holding on a licence agreement which expired in 2018 with considerable arrears accrued. Discussions had taken place to address the arrears and to enter into a new agreement however due to the closure of the club during the Covid pandemic the matter did not progress at that time. Property Management are committed to recommencing discussions regarding the renewal of their agreement and deal with all outstanding matters concerning the previous licence. 

It should be noted that the tenant i.e. the boxing club, is responsible for internal repairs and maintenance of the facility including the heating and plumbing in the building. A request was made by the tenant to have the building painted but this type of maintenance would also normally fall under tenant responsibility.

These responsibilities were part of the terms and conditions of the expired licence and will also be the case in any proposed new licence agreement.

In the last couple of years, following complaints of roof leaks, DCC undertook repairs to the roof which also included cutting back of trees close to the building. 

 

Property Management will make arrangements for an inspection of the building to assess its condition and inspect the windows to determine if repair or replacement is required.  There were no fire safety issues raised by the tenant but this will also be assessed.

Once we have received the report from the Building Inspector and we will be in a position to discuss the matter further with the occupant and negotiate a new tenancy agreement.

 

Q.52    Councillor Danny Byrne

To ask the manager if the points raised by the resident below can be acted

upon.

I live on Cambridge Square, Ringsend (Details Supplied). I recently made the move to a fully electric vehicle but I’m now actively telling people they would probably be better off with a diesel car because it’s not possible to charge at home.

I have no driveway and so am reliant on the public charger network - unfortunately, this now often costs more per mile than a diesel car (as highlighted by this recent UK RAC Report).

If I could charge my car at home it would save me at least €1,000 per year, as described in a This is Money story . I suspect thousands of Dublin City residents will not move to electric until they can charge at home. In the UK, West Berkshire Council, Milton Keynes City Council, Reading Borough Council and Durham County Council are trialling new technology called ‘Kerbo Charge’– it’s a polymer cable channel with a self-closing lid – please see a link to the BBC article here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-67485414

 

The channel:

·         Is installed by the council’s approved highways contractor

·         Flexes with the pavement surface

·         Has a self-closing lid so cannot create a trip hazard

·         Is 32mm deep so it does not interfere with street utilities

·         Is British Standard 1433 certified

·         Has zero lifetime cost to the council (it is paid for and maintained by me, the resident)

·         Accident liability sits with me, via my car insurance, home insurance, not the council.

Please will you consider a trial of this product (at no cost to the council) at

my home?

 

Reply:

Dublin City Council adopted the Dublin Local Authority Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy in 2022. It was agreed that DCC’s role was to facilitate the roll out of fast charging hubs over other models including neighbourhood charging.

To support the strategy DCC and the other Dublin Local Authorities are in the process of procuring an operator to implement a pilot project to develop a limited number of public charging hubs across Dublin City and County.

In relation to residential / domestic charging, where a property has off street parking, the property owner can install an EV charger for use within the curtilage of the property.

 

Dublin City Council do not sanction any other systems of EV charging from a domestic supply.

Dublin City Council is responsible for the maintenance of the public road in the Interest of all road users. The installation of privately owned infrastructure within the structure of the public footpath would be detrimental to the structure of the footpath and is not permissible under current legislation. 

 

The use of the ‘Kerbo Charge’ system has not been approved for use by DCC, and while the specific system has not been tested by DCC, it does not meet the requirements for traversing the public realm.

 

DCC would not recommend a trial of this product on the public footpath for the following reasons;

 

·         The system does not provide adequate cover for an electrical service in a footpath

·         The system has not demonstrated that it will not cause a trip hazard

·         The system has not demonstrated that it is tamper-proof

·         The resident is not licensed to maintain services on the public footpath

·         Liability in the event of an injury will be decided by the courts. DCC are not necessarily indemnified.

 

Finally, while this system may have attained certain standards for trial use in other jurisdictions, DCC do not want to see a proliferation of imitation systems that do not meet any safety or construction standards.

 

Q.53    Councillor Danny Byrne

To ask the manager if the ongoing drainage issue at (Details Supplied) Haddington road can be addressed please, see separate letter outline the issue. 

 

To Whom It May Concern

 

AJ Drains were called to address blocked foul drain that runs from front of houses to main line that runs parallel at front of House Nos. 74 to 96 Haddington Road.

All houses have individual connections to this main line. There is a junction point in manhole at corner of Cranmer Lane and Haddington Road. This is a 300mm main drain that has not been cleared for some time. There is a vast amount of silt, stones and debris in this main drain. This is causing blockages to connections going into it.

 

AJ Drains suggests this drain has to be cleared by Council with the aid of vacuum tanker. It is assumed that houses are responsible for these connections to main line. Council is responsible for main drains. This needs to be addressed as soon as possible, as more and more blockages are occurring.

 

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

(Details Supplied)

 

Reply:

On 13th September 2023 Uisce Eireann (previously known as Irish Water) took over direct control of all foul and combined sewage matters in accordance with the Government’s ‘Framework for Future Delivery of Water Services’.  DCC Drainage crews still working in the SLA now operate under the control and direction of Uisce Eireann Engineers and management.  DCC Drainage staff investigated this matter (on behalf of Uisce Eireann) and report as follows:

 

Uisce Eireann sewers on Haddington Road and Cranmer Lane were checked and found to be clear and operating normally.  An old stone shore running up along the front gardens was found which appears to be a ‘common’ or ‘shared’ drain serving these properties.  This drain connects to the public sewer on Cranmer Lane and appears to be the source of the difficulties being experienced.  However, being a private drain (and on private property) it is the shared responsibility of all households served by it to maintain.  Further details on the legal position can be found on Uisce Eireann’s website at the following link:  www.water.ie/help/pipe-maintenance-responsibility/.  Any further queries should be submitted directly to Uisce Eireann for reply.

 

Uisce Eireann provides a dedicated service for Local and Elected Representatives nationwide to ensure efficient and effective triage and resolution to any queries that they may have.  Uisce Eireann’s Local Representative Support Desk (LRSD) is open Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays), between the hours of 09:00 to 17:30.  The LRSD can be contacted either by telephone (0818 178 178) or by email at localrepsupport@water.ie.  Uisce Eireann’s LRSD team receive prioritised support from across the Uisce Eireann business and have direct relationships with the Regional Engineers so that information from the ground can be gathered and fed back where necessary.

 

Uisce Eireann Contact details for Oireachtas Members

•       Dedicated Direct Line 0818 578 578

•       Email: oireachtasmembers@water.ie

•       Lines are open from 9am-5.30pm, Mon-Fri

 

Uisce Eireann Contact details for Councillors

•       Dedicated Direct Line for Councillors 0818 178 178

•       Email: localrepsupport@water.ie 

•       Lines are open from 9am-5.30pm, Mon-Fri

 

Q.54    Councillor Daniel Ceitinn

To ask the Manager if he can arrange for a level access shower to be installed in the bathroom of a person’s (details suppled) home as a matter of urgency due to her deteriorating mobility.

 

Reply:

Housing Maintenance Adaptations Section will arrange to have this application assessed as a priority for the tenant in the next week. 

 

Q.55    Councillor Daniel Ceitinn

To ask the Manager can he advise as to when the issues with the bin area will be addressed and when will gates be installed at the entrance to the complex at (details supplied).

 

Reply:

Housing Maintenance are in the process of rolling out secure bin areas in all of our housing complexes and have engaged the services of four contractors for this project.  We anticipate that this process will take some time due to engagement with local residents.  The Bishop Street Flats are part of this project.  

Dublin City Council are trying to move away from gated communities. However, there are refurbishment works happening in the area and DCC, through the Area Office, are in dialogue with the residents about upgrading the communal areas in the flat complexes here.  When the outcome of these talks are complete, we will have a better idea of what works are being done and a better timeframe of when we will be doing the works.

 

Q.56    Councillor Daniel Ceitinn

To ask the Manager can he arrange for a club (details suppled) to be allocated a time slot to use Markievicz Swimming Pool.

 

Reply:

Sports & Fitness Markievicz was in contact with the Youth Project Manager for the Talk about Youth Project in St Andrews Resource Centre on the 18^th January 2024 to discuss available times slots to use the swimming pool.

Sports & Fitness Markievicz tried our best to accommodate the group request by offering St Andrew’s Resource Centre a couple of options to use the swimming pool which was Tuesday from 4pm to 5pm or Friday 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

 

The Youth Project Manager had their weekly team meeting with the youth workers to discuss the options available and unfortunately they did not suit as they are tied up in particular programmes.

The Youth Project Manager thanked Markievicz Swimming Pool for trying to accommodate the group and completely understands the demands from all our service users.

 

Sports & Fitness Markievicz facility welcomes all community groups to book the facility and accommodates all groups if resources and times are available to suit.

Sean Mac Swimming Pool is also available for pool bookings, if St Andrews Resource Centre wishes to contact them see details below.

 

Q.57    Councillor Daniel Ceitinn

To ask the Manager can he arrange for a new front door to be installed at the home of (details supplied)

 

Reply:

Following inspection a new door was ordered on 21/11/2023.  There is a waiting list of several months for new front doors.  As soon as the door is received arrangements will be made with the tenant to have it installed.

 

Q.58    Councillor Daniel Ceitinn

To ask the Manager can he arrange for the removal of a tree located outside the home of (details supplied).

 

Details: The tree in question was planted approximately 15 years ago, following the removal of a cherry blossom tree.  This tree is now taller than (Details Supplied) house and sheds its leaves each year, causing her front garden to be filled with slippery leaves.

 

(Details Supplied) is an elderly woman with poor mobility.  She uses a crutch, and will do so for the rest of her life, after she suffered a bad fall.  She is terrified to try and walk out into her front garden when the leaves fall off this tree, which has left her confined to her home at times.  She lives alone and is unable to clear up the leaves herself.

 

Other residents on the road had the same problem with trees outside their homes, and they paid privately to have these trees removed.  However (Details Supplied) is unable to afford to do this as her only income is her pension.

 

Reply:

As per Dublin City Tree Strategy, we do not remove or prune trees because of shading, leaf fall or due to the installation of solar panels.

We carry out cyclical inspection of our trees to assess their health.

Therefore we will not remove this tree for the reasons outlined above.  All Street trees are regularly scheduled for assessment and works are carried out as recommended in these surveys.

For more information, our tree strategy is accessible here:  https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/parks/strategies-and-policies/tree-strategy

 

Please also note that it is illegal for residents to interfere with or to have trees removed from public property.

 

Q.59    Councillor Daniel Ceitinn

To ask the Manager can he arrange for the removal of a parking space

outside

(details supplied).

 

Details:(Details Supplied) is requesting Dublin City Council to remove the unmarked parking space outside her home.  This is a pay & display road and this space is the only non-paying space on the road.

 

This unmarked parking space, outside (Details Supplied) home, is not big enough for a car, yet because it is unmarked people constantly try to park here to avoid paying and displaying. This means her gate gets blocked and she loses access to her driveway. (Details Supplied) works unsociable hours at the airport, so it’s extremely frustrating for her to come home and find she can’t park in her own driveway after a night shift. Recently, her neighbour has become extremely hostile over using this spot and it’s causing (Details Supplied) huge stress.

 

(Details Supplied) has herself contacted the council about putting down double yellow lines etc. to prevent people parking there. She was told by the council that this would be no problem but they have yet to take action on it.

 

Reply:

The Southeast area engineer has assessed the traffic situation outside property no. 149 Lansdowne Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, D04 Y0C8. Blocking of driveways and accesses is against the law, Under Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 section 36:2: g “A vehicle shall not be parked – in any place, position or manner that will result in the vehicle obstructing an entrance or an exit for vehicles to or from a premises, save with the consent of the occupier of such premises;”

 

To address this issue, the Traffic Advisory Group (TAG) will notify Dublin Street Parking Services (DSPS) to monitor the area and enforce parking regulations. Additionally, Double Yellow Lines (DYL) will be installed to cover the boundary (4.0m) area between property no. 149 – 60 to deter illegal parking.

 

 

Instances of illegal or obstructive parking should be referred to Dublin Street Parking Services, DSPS (e-mail info@dsps.ie or telephone 01 602 2500) or an Garda Síochána for enforcement.

 

Associated Service Request: (Details Supplied)

 

Q.60    Councillor Daniel Ceitinn

To ask the Manager can he arrange for a yellow box to be installed at    

(details supplied).

 

Reply:

The request outlined above requires further investigation by the Area Engineer. A service request has been created to effect this action. Enquiry No. (Details Supplied) refers.  The Councillor will be informed of the recommendation in due course.

 

Q.61    Councillor Daniel Ceitinn

To ask the Manager to outline plans for electric vehicle charging points in the areas covered by the Pembroke East A and Pembroke West A electoral divisions. 

 

Reply:

Dublin City Council adopted the Dublin Local Authority Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy in 2022. It was agreed that DCC’s role was to facilitate the roll out of fast charging hubs over other models including neighbourhood charging.

To support the strategy DCC and the other Dublin Local Authorities are in the process of procuring an operator to implement a pilot project to develop a limited number of public charging hubs across Dublin City and County.

 

The following locations have been identified by Dublin City Council as suitable for the pilot scheme.

 

1.    St. Anne’s Park                             North Central Area

2.    Clontarf Bus Garage                     North Central Area

3.    Strand Road, Sydney Parade       South East Area

4.    Mary’s lane                                    Central Area

5.    Donnybrook (The Crescent)         South East Area

6.    Milltown (Strand Terrace)             South East Area

7.    Ballyfermot Leisure Centre           South Central Area

8.    Raheny Library                             North Central Area

9.    Cabra Parkside Leisure Centre    Central Area

10.  Finglas, Wellmount St.                 North West Area

11.  Clonskeagh (Farmer Browns)      South East Area

12.  Bushy Park (Rathdown Avenue)  South East Area

13.  Cabra Library                                Central Area

14.  Walkinstown Library                     South Central Area

 

These locations will be subject to a final assessment by the successful Charge Point Operator, to ensure that site conditions and layouts are suitable.

 

Q.62    Councillor Daniel Ceitinn

To ask the manager if he will review public lighting in Sean Moore park with a view to making the park accessible in the evenings.

 

Reply:

Thank you for your inquiry concerning the potential review of public lighting in Sean Moore Park.

 

Our Parks policy stipulates a deliberate non-illumination strategy within our parks. Exceptions are rarely granted when a park route is deemed the sole reasonable link between high-use destinations. Regrettably, Sean Moore Park does not meet the specified criteria for providing the only direct route between surrounding destinations.

 

The principle of maintaining a dark environment, especially in locations characterized by rich biodiversity, has been substantiated as a means of providing safe havens for urban wildlife. This practice significantly contributes to the preservation of urban biodiversity, with a particular emphasis on safeguarding nocturnal pollinating insects. 

 

However the periphery of Sean Moore park currently benefits from the ambient illumination originating from adjacent public streets, rendering it sufficiently bright for use, if desired, during the evenings.

 

In the realm of enhancing recreational accessibility, Dublin City Council, in collaboration with the National Transport Authority, is planning to introduce cycle facilities along Sean Moore Road. This initiative aims to establish a secure cycling route between Pigeon House Road, the GAA club, and Sean Moore Park. As part of this project, the consideration of lighting options will be explored.

We value your understanding of our commitment to offering recreational amenities together with a dedication to environmental preservation.

 

Q.63    Councillor Daniel Ceitinn

To ask the manager the engagement the city council has had with ESB regarding the installation of a substation at Clogher Road / Rutland grove and the next steps for same; and when the Eamon Ceannt Park Bring Centre will re-open

 

Reply:

Parks Biodiversity & Landscape Services are refurbishing the park depot at Eamonn Ceannt. The works include upgrade and extension to the staff canteen, offices and welfare facilities to modernise and bring it in line with current building standards including energy efficiency, universal accessibility and fire safety. Other works include a new replacement machinery store and refurbishment of the Bring Centre. In addition, the presentation and security of the depot/Bring Centre to Rutland Grove will be improved with an upgraded boundary, additional planting and an enhanced entrance to Eamonn Ceannt Park.

In autumn 2023 an application was made to ESB Networks for a new connection and increase in capacity (MIC) for the supply associated with the project. ESB Networks advised that a unit substation is required as the current supply is insufficient even for the old depot.  If the connection and installation of the unit substation is not installed, then the equipment and the overall refurbished depot will not operate correctly and there will be additional costs incurred as an excess capacity charge from ESB Networks, possibly leading to power outages as well. Although the refurbished depot will benefit from the increase in MIC, ESB networks infrastructure will also gain from the new unit substation as the supply in Rutland Grove/Clogher Road is deemed to be at the low end of capacity.  The Building Services Engineer for the project have been communicating with ESB Networks on the unit substation. The preferred location of this unit substation is within the boundary of the depot site with double steel doors onto Rutland Grove for maintenance access. The unit substation is positioned approximately 10.6 metres from the boundary wall of the nearest resident. ESB Networks have approved this location which is regarded as having negligible impact on residents.  Another option suggested by Rutland Grove Residents Association is to locate the substation on the site of the Bring Centre. Both Parks Biodiversity & Landscape Services and Waste Management are of the view that the site is not feasible due to the already limited space in the Bring Centre. Locating the unit substation at the Bring Centre would greatly impede the functioning of this facility.

It is anticipated that the works to the boundary wall and unit substation base will commence in about three weeks’ time. ESB Networks have not yet given a timeframe for when the substation will be installed or how long it will take. Once that information is received it will be communicated to Rutland Grove Resident Association.

Parks Biodiversity & Landscape Services have agreed to meet with Rutland Grove Residents Association to discuss their concerns and ensure that they are kept abreast of the works as they progress

 

Reply:

Refurbishment works at Eamonn Ceannt Park Bring Centre are part of Parks, Biodiversity & Landscaping Services Division’s refurbishment of their depot in Eamonn Ceannt Park. Waste Management Services have been informed the works are scheduled to finish in August 2024.

 

Q.64    Councillor James Geoghegan

To ask the area manager if an inspection could be carried out on Nutley Road and Ailesbury Road with a view to providing road resurfacing works as required and evidence from the photographs below.

   

Reply:

The Area Engineer will carry out a site inspection of this area in the coming week with a view to scheduling repairs on the aforementioned roads.                             

Q.65    Councillor James Geoghegan

To ask the area manager if he can detail when the new pedestrian crossings at Cowper Road/Palmerston Road junction will be turned on; if consideration can be given to the installation of a new pedestrian crossing

 

or zebra crossing at the junction referred to here Palmerston Road / Palmerston Park traffic heading east (from Highfield Rd) mostly turns left onto Palmerston Road. Some cars or vans barely slow down and for pedestrians walking in the same direction and trying to cross Palmerston Road, this can be hairy.

For kids and older people, it's just dangerous. My kids all play tennis in Brookfield Tennis Club but we don't want them to walk home alone because this junction is a bit of a menace. How would one go about requesting a pedestrian crossing? As well as the tennis club, the park is right there and we're soon to get the tea rooms so perhaps this can be justified.

 

Reply:

Please note that we expect the new pedestrian crossings at Cowper Road / Palmerstown Road to be switched on by the end of February 2024. Requests for new pedestrian crossings are to be addressed to the Area Engineer. I have asked that your query be referred to the Area Engineer for assessment.

 

The Southeast area engineer will further assess the left turn from Palmerston Park into Palmerston Road, to be considered for inclusion in the 2024 future works program, pending detailed design and the availability of funding.

 

Note: The Active Travel Unit has included Palmerston Park as part of their “Rathgar to Ranelagh S2 - DCC 22 0021” scheme, which is under consideration for the 2027 delivery phase.

 

Q.66    Councillor James Geoghegan

To ask the area manager if the issues raised in this email can be addressed as a matter of urgency, as this business is being interfered with as a result of the failure of the car park to have been vacated despite promises it was to have been done by November 2023.

My name is (Details Supplied). I am contacting you in relation to my business (Details Supplied) we recently took a leasehold in one of the 2 retail units within Lovett House, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. It was a complete fit out for us as we got it as shell and core so a very large investment as a small business but we felt there is a demand for a family gifting store within the local area. 

We were told when occupying the unit that the car park opposite us would be vacated in November 2023 - this is currently being used by (Details Supplied)for the new build across the road. Unfortunately they are still here and in December another 6 containers, on top of the original 4, are now occupying in the carpark. It is a huge issue for us given it totally blocks us being seen from the road (coming from Stillorgan to town area) but it also means there is no parking for our customers, most of which are mums and dads with small children or babies i.e. have buggies. 

Not only is the carpark affecting our exposure and logistics but the builders are overfilling it, encroaching on the footpath as well as parking on the double yellow lines in front. It is further blocking us being seen and means customers cannot use that side of the path. 

Do you have any details on when they will be vacating? I understand that they need a base to operate from, but the building - Donnybrook House - which is opposite where they are actually building is vacant. 

It is really disappointing as we are trying to grow a small Irish business in a time when many are closing. We have invested a huge cash flow into our build and are paying significant rent. If this cannot be looked at we feel it is going to have an extremely negative impact on our business. 

 

Reply:

Roadworks Control issued a Hoarding Licence to (Details Supplied) in connection with the redevelopment of the former Kiely’s site and the company also paid, up to the 18^th March 2024, for the use of three parking spaces to accommodate five cabins/welfare units on The Crescent, Donnybrook. On the 3^rd January Clancy Construction increased the number of P&D bays suspended from 3 to 5 and fees for same have been paid up to 18^th March. When a request to renew the licence is again received the Roadworks Control Inspector dealing with this application will discuss the complaint received with Clancy Construction’s to determine if they can reduce their parking bay needs in this regard.

 

Q.67    Councillor James Geoghegan

To ask the area manager to upgrade the street lighting on Fortfield Terrace and Fortfield Gardens, and in that context consider the contents of the email below requesting this upgrade.

            “Dear Sir or Madam

We live on Fortfield Terrace, a short road off Upper Rathmines Road, and Fortfield Gardens, which runs northwards from here to Cowper Road. There are 45 houses on Fortfield Terrace and nine houses, plus Fortfield Castle, on Fortfield Gardens.

We are writing to request that the council upgrade the street lighting on our two roads. At present there are just five lights on Fortfield Terrace and three on Fortfield Gardens (see annotated map, attached). We note from your website that the council uses “highly efficient LED technology in all its new and upgraded lighting installations”, but sadly our roads are dimly and intermittently lit by yellowy lights which we feel are due an urgent upgrade and do not reach your stated aim of “enhancing the night-time environment”.

Many residents report feeling uneasy when walking on our roads in the dark, (i.e. after 5pm in wintertime), and some of us walk in the middle of the road rather than along the footpaths because so little light is cast from overhead, especially when the trees are full of leaves. The light at the top of Fortfield Gardens, along the eastern boundary of number 34 Fortfield Terrace, is not working at the moment. In addition, to have so little light makes it hard to see where you are going and could constitute a trip hazard. In short, we need more streetlights on our roads, and they need to be much brighter.

The lampposts vary in style and age and some feature pretty shamrock decoration, adding to the character of the roads, so we hope these would be retained as part of any upgrade. We would be very glad if you could let us know what the council can do to help, and could give us an approximate timescale.

 

Reply:

It is planned to upgrade all street lights in the City Council’s administrative area to LED street lights under the Lighting Upgrade Project over the course of the next 5 to 8 years.

The first few years of the upgrade project primarily focusses on the high volume standard street lights that you see around the city in particular in residential areas.

While the street lights in Fortfield Terrace and Fortfield Gardens are standard street lights they are installed on heritage lighting columns that will not be upgraded until later in the project and an exact timeframe for the upgrade of these cannot be provided at this time.

In the meantime we will examine the dimness in the existing lights noted in the question above and will replace the lamps in these existing lights if they haven’t been replaced for more than three years.

Ongoing maintenance of the existing street lights will continue in accordance with normal maintenance regimes until such time as the upgrade works are completed. 

                                                                                                 

Q.68    Councillor James Geoghegan

To ask the area manager if the footpaths on Merlyn Drive and Merlyn Road could be inspected for repairs and resurfacing.

 

Reply:

The Area Engineer and a roads inspector from DCC Roads Maintenance Section will carry out a site survey to assess the extent of the damaged pavementson the aforementioned roads.

 

The Area Engineer is aware of the issues raised by Cllr. Geoghegan, it should be noted that the impact of tree roots on both roads is having a detrimental impact on the condition of the pavements on both roads.

 

Any future repair work DCC carry out will only have a short term impact in repairing the existing pavements. 

 

Q.69    Councillor James Geoghegan

To ask the area manager if Washerwoman lane, Rathgar could be regularly inspected and cleaned as it has become a place for illegal drug taking and syringes discarded on the ground.

 

Reply:

Waste Management Services have listed the above mentioned lane for regular monitoring and it will be cleaned when necessary to do so.

 

 

Q.70    Councillor James Geoghegan

To ask the area manager if the footpaths on Beechwood Avenue lower could be inspected and resurfaced in light of the photographs below.

 

Reply:

Beechwood Avenue Lower has been added to the Road Works Programme for 2024 for road resurfacing. The Area Engineer will be in touch with the contractor to ask them to repair the section of pavement shown in the above image.

 

Currently the Area Engineer has no confirmed date when this repair work will be complete. The Area Engineer will try and get this work scheduled during the first half of this year.

 

Q.71    Councillor James Geoghegan

To ask the area manager if an inspection could be carried out and necessary repairs made in respect of each and every road and footpath associated with the photograph below and listed in the Rathgar area.

 

Winton Avenue

Winton Avenue is generally in an extremely poor condition.  The road would be considered a 2.  The footpath would be considered a 3 with a 2 in places.  This means that it would be almost impossible for anyone with any kind of visual impairment to use the footpath.

 

Auburn Villa

To be honest, the photographs speak for themselves.

 

Rathgar Road

Rathgar Road has one of the best surfaces.  In general, it would be a 9, with the exception of the junction with Frankfort Avenue and just below Winton in the cycle lane – see attached pictures.

The footpaths would be around a 5 and would be considered difficult to walk on with a visual impairment, particularly the western side of the road.

 

Garville Road

The road and pavement at the end closest to Rathgar Avenue are in a terrible condition – unfortunately it is difficult to imagine how anyone could use this road with a bike – condition for both road and pavement would be a 2.

 

Garville Avenue/Garville Avenue Upper

The central strip of Garville Ave is generally okay, but the margins are in a terrible condition and there are sections like this photograph in the centre of the road.

 

Brighton Road

Parts of the road are fine.  The footpath would be in a very patched up/dangerous state.

 

Rathgar Avenue

The road is generally not too bad – maybe a 5, with some areas that need

attention.

The footpath is not good, particularly the right-hand side going up to the village, which is a patchwork of repairs and difficult walking conditions and is particularly difficult where the pavements meet the roads going off Rathgar Avenue, e.g. around Airfield Road.

 

The footpath is particularly bad from Winton Avenue all the way down to Harold’s Cross on the Western side.

This lamppost on the corner of Coulson Avenue has a number 1 on it and is in the worst condition. The debris in all the gullies needs clearing – suggest putting up temporary parking restrictions and cleaning properly.

 

Frankfort Avenue

Frankfort Ave is in a state of disrepair, particularly the pavement and the junction with Maxwell Road.

 

Maxwell Road

Again, Maxwell Road has some large and patched up areas on it.

There is a strange gully in the pavement at the end as it goes on to Rathmines Road which would be particularly hazardous for pedestrians.

 

Rostrevor Road/Terrace

The road condition is generally good, but there is a trip hazard at 3 Rostrevor Road/Slip Road – photo attached.

 

Orwell Road (Junction to Orwell Bridge)

The road condition is generally good, but there is a trip hazard/blocked gully – 62 Orwell Road/opposite Marianella.

 

Orwell Park

Orwell Park is lined with trees (I understand are protected) set in the footpaths. Over the years as their root size has increased and the concrete pavement around the roots has been pushed upwards. The concrete was then trimmed back and tarmacadam replaced it. That tarmacadam now has been pushed out of place and has become a pedestrian hazard.

There are a number of particular trip hazards which require immediate

attention.

 

Kenilworth Square

Pavements furthest from the park on all sides are reasonable. The pavement closest to the park between Leicester Avenue and Kenilworth Road is extremely dangerous with tree roots coming through in a number of places and generally very patchy. 

The road running from Rathgar Avenue onto Leicester Avenue is in very poor condition generally. The other roads are about a 5.

 

Leicester Avenue

The pavement on the north side of the road from Kenilworth Square to Bushes Lane is in very poor condition. The road on the same stretch is also very patchy. 

 

Grosvenor Road

The pavement from Grosvenor Place to Bushes Lane and from Bushes Lane to Rathgar Road is extremely dangerous on the side of the road where Saint Michael’s house is located. This needs to be dealt with urgently as it is used regularly by students from Saint Michael’s house going to Rathgar Road. There are also a number of elderly people living on this stretch of road. 

The pavement on Grosvenor Road from Rathgar Junior School to Rathgar Road junction is also in poor condition. There are temporary fixes in a number of places but an increasing number of cracks with the pavement lifting.

The ramps on Grosvenor Rd are in poor condition, dangerous for cyclists as well as cars. 

 

Reply:

The Area Engineer will attend site visits in the coming weeks on the aforementioned roads/pavements.

 

Based on the findings the area engineer will recommend pavement/road repair work to be completed where necessary.