The Northside News 22022023

Weekend drug use ‘supporting crime’ Celebrating St b rigid

THERE is a direct link between snorting a line, or taking a pill and murder, assault, criminality and misery, acting Justice Minister Simon Harris told the Dail.

Mr Harris said he is concerned at the growing social acceptance of drug taking.

“I am not talking about drug addiction, I am not talking about the pain and hurt of that,” he said.

“People need support to overcome addiction and not stigma.

“We need to talk about the increasing prevalence of drug taking as part of a night out in Ireland.

“Any conversation we have about this kind of drug use cannot ignore this reality.”

The minister said that “drug use on a Friday or Saturday night is supporting violence and crime”.

“You are helping to line the pockets of criminals. Inflicting misery and pain across communities,” he said.

“We need to get real about

this, drug use is not victimless. The laws are clear and any night-time premises needs to be aware of the laws in this regard.”

Following proposed legislation that could see criminals who are convicted of grooming children into a life of crime face up to five years in prison if convicted, Mr Harris said there is a need to move away “from attempts by criminal gangs to glamourise gangland activity” and he said the new bill will expose it for

what it is. Meanwhile, Dublin city councillors are calling for a review of the timeline to demolish the Dorset Street Flats in the north inner city as the flats have become an “absolute blackspot for drug-dealing”, according to Councillor Cieran Perry.

A proposed redevelopment at the flats includes the demolition of the four existing flat blocks and the construction of 163 new homes.

Continued on next page

Caoimhe Linnane (7) from Strawberry Beds at a celebration of St Brigid’s Bank Holiday hosted by Fingal County Council was held in Mountview Youth & Community Centre. Pic: Maxwells

Weekend drug use aids crime

Continued from front page during a recent meeting of the Central Area Committee, Cllr Perry said gardai were “absolutely clear” that demolition of the flats would enable them to be more effective in their operations.

“I’m asking the housing department to review the programme of works to tackle the worst drug-dealing spot in the whole city,” he said. Councillor Christy Burke said the north inner city flat complex is being used as a “drug den” in broad daylight. he said: “In the confines of Mountjoy, Bridewell and Fitzgibbon street, three garda stations, yet people are allowed to sell openly in broad daylight at their ease and there doesn’t appear to be any garda action.”

Claire dempsey, Area housing Manager, confirmed the demolition plans were being reviewed.

Metrolink on collision course with toy store

The dublin Metrolink is on a collision course with the smyth’s Toysto superstore outlet at the Airside Retail Park in swords, north dublin.

In a submission to An Bord Pleanála on the draft Railway order for the Metrolink, smyths Toys states that under the draft order, “the existing store would need to be demolished”.

The toy retailer has told the appeals board that an alternative site for the existing store has not been identified in the planning report.

As part of an 11-page submission on the draft Railway order, planning consultant for smyths Toys, Robert Nowlan, contends that the draft order should not be confirmed in the absence of an alternative site being found for the swords toy store. he said the smyths outlet employs 50 and can increase to up to 90 employees at peak times.

he contends that the “potential loss to smyths Toys of the store would have major implications for servicing this strategic area”.

Mr Nowlan states that the current smyths store was a replacement for a previous smyths outlet, as the former outlet was not able to meet customer demand due to its size.

Where to get a bit of air?

Google it!

The level of air pollution on dublin’s streets can change dramatically within the space of just a few streets.

It comes as a Google street View car equipped with a mobile air sensing platform has measured every street and road across the city, over a period of 16 months and gathered over 50 million pieces of data.

The huge number of measurements allowed the production of detailed maps identifying the precise locations of poor, or good, air quality in the city, which will be used by the council to develop environmental, climate and planning policies.

The interactive maps indicate good air quality in most areas, but with noticeable exceptions such as the liffey Quays, doyle’s Corner in Phibsborough, and busy approach roads to the city where pollution is significantly worse than on surrounding streets.

The map is available at Google’s environmental Insights explorer. To use the map scroll down the screen to Air Quality and click on explore air quality data link. www.insights.sustainability. google

Along the banks of the Royal Canal

THE latest extension to the Royal Canal Greenway has started, with the aim of providing a ‘high quality footpath and cycle track’ from the North Strand to Phibsborough, at a cost of €30.85m.

Trading in the current premises at swords commenced in 2015.

he adds that market research commissioned by the firm has found that there is currently no suitable vacant location available within the population catchment area which can cater for the level of trade generated in the Airside Retail Park. The planning consultant claims that the proposed demolition of the smyths outlet materially contravenes a

zoning objective in the current and draft Fingal County development Plan. he says that “it is essential for smyths Toys superstores business that a replacement site be found in the vicinity of the current site”, adding: “This is not adequately addressed in the Railway order”.

An Bord Pleanala is due to make a decision on the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) draft railway order in May.

Cost-of-living package due in spring boost

households can expect a long-awaited boost as the Government readies to outline its spring cost of living package. An additional child welfare payment looks likely with families still struggling with mounting bills as a result of inflation. An energy rebate is also expected to be announced. The additional child welfare payment will echo the double payment granted at the beginning of November in 2022.

Parents and guardians were entitled to an additional €140 per child for that month.

Further doubling of other core welfare payments are also under consideration but no decision has been made. every household in the country was promised three €200 energy credits in last year’s Budget and received the first two in November and January. The third is due in March but a fourth is possible despite reservations among some in Cabinet circles.

Phase three of the project, which stretches 2.1 km from Newcomen Bridge to Cross Guns Bridge, is funded by the National Transport Authority’s Active Travel Programme. It will also include accessible ramps from the canal towpath to all road crossings, a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the canal and a new community plaza. The work is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2025.

Waterways Ireland Dublin Development Manager Máirín Ó Cuireáin, said:

“When complete phase three will link Spencer Dock in Dublin 1 with Maynooth in Co Kildare where the Royal Canal Greenway goes all the way to the Shannon.”

Council home loans rise to €360k

The public can also expect some blows in terms of fuel costs and the VAT rate. The hospitality sector will likely see VAT charges jump from 9% to 13.5%.

Additionally, the excise duty on fuel is also expected to increase. Motorists were granted an excise of 20c per litre on petrol and 15c on diesel last year in order to address the energy crisis, but these will be phased out in the future.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin previously indicated that he would like households to receive more energy credits in the second half of the year, as temperatures begin to plummet.

While the cost of energy is currently falling, a return to cold weather this spring could see prices spike once again.

It is understood that Fine Gael has been pushing for a “mix of targeted and universal measures” while the Green Party pushed back against a fourth energy credit.

MoRe people will be eligible to apply for the local Authority home loan, housing Minister darragh o’Brien has announced.

The new improvements to the state-backed mortgage will include house price and income limits being increased for all authority areas.

As well as that, more single applicants will be able to apply for the loan, with the income limit for single applicants being raised up to €70,000. The local Authority home loan was launched in January 2022 as part of housing for All with the aim of helping those on more moderate incomes to achieve homeownership.

since February 2018 over 3,300 people have got on the property ladder through the 2022 scheme and its predecessor the Rebuilding Ireland home loan. It supports creditworthy borrowers who are unable to get finance from commercial banks to buy a home. The loan can be used for new, second hand or self-build homes. An increase from €320,000 to €360,000 applies to: dun laoghaire Rathdown, south dublin, dublin City, Fingal, Wicklow and Kildare.

Harry Holland (10) with Natasha Adams of Tesco Ireland and Denise Fitgerald of Children’s Health Foundation at the official opening a new CT Scanner worth €1.2m at Temple Street thanks to Tesco. Pic: Andres Poveda

Local artist pays tribute to Balbriggan’s beauty

‘WISH You Were Here’ is the new artwork by local artist Dave West, which has now been installed at the prominent Banks site at Balbriggan Harbour.

Early in 2022, the artist in collaboration with Irish Rail and Our Balbriggan announced a call to action from the community, where they were invited to submit viewpoints to the artist Dave West on what everyone loves about Balbriggan.

The call out was delivered in the form of a postcard and billboard campaign and distributed across our libraries, community hubs, the Balbriggan train station and the central Our Balbriggan office. The entries received formed the inspiration of the artists new work for the location.

The project is part of the many initiatives currently underway in Balbriggan that demonstrate how art and artists can enliven and celebrate our public spaces and adds to the other stunning panel featuring the beautiful coastline on the site by another local artist Sean Molloy.

The five panels, Take a Dip, See the Coast, Wish You Were Here, Regatta & Baile Brigín

all point to local and historical reference points generated from the community. The regular sea swimmers were the local inspiration for Take a Dip, the sea has been a lifeline for people’s mental

and physical health in the area throughout the town’s history.

Dave West uncovered an old postcard from the 19th Century featuring two swimming platforms which formerly existed in the harbour and has

highlighted this link to the past with this panel. See the Coast brings out the presence of the distinctive viaduct which is an unmistakable Balbriggan landmark and demonstrates the importance of the train

Shine a light for Women’s Day ‘23

travel that still allows visitors to journey to Balbriggan and enjoy its beautiful coast.

Wish you Were Here, is a tribute to the community’s love of a sunny day in Balbriggan, a day on the beach, enjoying an ice cream and a scene anchored by two historic landmarks, Bremore and Ardgillan Castles.

Regatta tells the story of the Drogheda Railway company who, for 40 years hosted a sailing regatta in the harbour where the beach was a hive of boating activity and fun.

Baile Brigín was really created by the artist to celebrate how the community just loves their town, this piece also features the newly restored lighthouse. Director of the Economic Enterprise, Tourism & Cultural Development Department

John Quinlivan said: “The regeneration of Balbriggan is well underway and it continues to reach visible milestones in its progress including the approval of the Quay Street and Environs Rejuvenation Plan.

“We are committed to celebrating all the town has to offer for its communities and visitors alike and art, with projects like Dave West’s beautiful panels at the Banks, plays a huge part in this.’

FINGAL County Council is bringing the Shine A Light for Women even to Dublin 15 this International Women’s Day, which takes place on March 8th 2023.

This is the second year of this initiative, and the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘Embracing Equity.’

The Community and Sports Office are committed to supporting the social inclusion of women and encourage them to participate and raise awareness of issues that affect their lives.

Clonee Women’s Shed is an example of inclusion in action at a local level. And this event will officially launch this first women’s shed in Dublin 15, which provides a space for women to meet and support each other through various ages and stages in life.

The event programme includes a mind/body movement classes.

Meanwhile, Fingal County Council is calling on people to take part in a community consultation exercise which will inform the development of its Local Sports Plan. To find out more about either of the above, go to www.fingal. ie for more details.

Irish Rail Technical Executive Enda Murtagh, Mayor of Fingal Cllr Howard Mahony, Artist Dave West and Cllr Karen Power a t The Banks, Balbriggan

More gardai are needed to tackle inner city crime

CONCERNS over garda numbers in the north inner city needs to be addressed to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, the Dáil has been told.

Fears of understaffing in garda stations across Dublin was raised by Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon.

“We’ve had incidents recently of motorbikes being burnt, we have had incidents of large congregations of people engaged in fights,” he said.

“There haven’t been any guards around, and that is indicative of a trend emerging around the rest of the county.”

Mr Gannon said there are issues in Cabra, as well as other parts of Dublin, with an “element of anti-social behaviour and some degree of crime”.

“It has given a sense that the guards are no longer capable of providing an adequate standard of policing,” he added.

Mr Gannon said “by no means” is crime in Cabra out of control, but added there is a lack of on-street policing in communities.

“We simply don’t see guards

on the streets,” he said. “When a call is made for whatever reason, be that a burglary, domestic violence reports, some form of anti-social behaviour, the guards are called and they may arrive the next day or the day after.

Mr Gannon raised the issue following meetings with residents in Dublin 7 over the past few weeks.

A new garda station is due to open on O’Connell Street as part of efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour and drug-dealing in the capital.

However, Mr Gannon requested that gardaí are not taken from surrounding stations to staff the new station.

In response, acting Minister for Justice Simon Harris acknowledged “the need to get garda numbers up”, and said funding has been allocated to recruit 1,000 gardaí into Templemore garda college this year.

“That will be key to ensure garda numbers begin to rise towards the end of this year and we get to 15,000 or more gardaí by the end of 2024,”

Voice of a generation as young Cecilia ‘Can Do’

said Mr Harris. “The college is back open now, a new class is due to go into the college in the coming weeks and then another class every roughly ten weeks for the rest of this year,” he added.

Mr Harris said he is “acutely aware of the devastating impacts that assaults and public order incidents can have on local communities”.

He said he hopes to enact the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 “swiftly” to allow gardaí to commence wearing body cameras later this year.

At the end of 2017, the Dublin Metropolitan Region West Division had 672 gardaí, which has increased to 721 gardaí at the end of 2022, he added.

Mr Harris also confirmed that additional gardaí have been reallocated to Cabra Garda Station, as well as a new garda vehicle.

“I am assured by an Garda Síochána that these allocations have the ability to respond to calls and provide high-visibility patrols in a more timely manner,” he said.

ELEVEN-year-old Cecilia

Henderson (pictured), from Castleknock, has been chosen to voice the character of Kiva Kain in Season 3 of the popular children’s animation series, Kiva Can Do. The STEM-inspired animated series created by Irish animation studio Kavaleer Productions, features

Kiva, a young girl with a wonderful imagination, who enjoys fantastic adventures around the world with her best friend Saul, and her spirited dog, Angus.

The new season launched on RTEjr in late 2022 and will be sold to networks worldwide, includin g Nick jr.

Cecilia, a pupil at Gaelscoil

an Chuilinn in Dublin 15, has studied drama for four years and is a member of the children’s choir Piccolo Lasso. She has won first prize at poetry recitation and singing competitions at Feis Maitiu Cork, Feis Maitiu Dublin and the Kilcoole Music Festival. Kiva can Do is Cecilia’s first role as a voice over artist.

Book your place as authors to pay a visit

FIVE popular Irish children’s authors will visit Fingal libraries and schools, and deliver hour-long events for invited audiences of primary school children next month. This series of events is timed to coincide with the week of World Book Day 2023, which falls on Thursday 2nd March. The 10 workshops will consist of storytelling, fun writing and story creation exercises, and draw-alongs. Branded Activity Sheets will

be sent to the participating schools prior to their event, as will a biography of the author the class will be meeting and a class set of the author’s book. Workshops will take place in either libraries or, for some of the smaller libraries, in local schools.

Meanwhile, Malahide Library will continue the Inclusive Creativity partnership with Prosper Fingal, with the project going to two new locations

— Rush Library and Skerries Libraries. A series of creative workshops on mindfulness, animation and art, will take place in all three libraries for Prosper members. Prosper Fingal supports adults with an intellectual disability. The workshops give participants an opportunity to express their creativity and interact with others in a supportive environment. For more on all of these events, visit: www.fingal.ie

Why are there no refugees in Jury’s Hotel?

A disproportionAte number of Ukrainian refugees and international protection applicants are being accommodated in working class areas in dublin, according to social democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Gary Gannon.

Mr Gannon was commenting after figures were released by the department of Children earlier this month, asking why Jury’s Hotel, Ballsbridge, was empty. in dublin 24 – which encompasses tallaght and south West dublin – there are a combined 3,335 Ukrainian refugees and ipAs applicants being housed. However, in dublin 6, there are just 51 Ukrainian refugees. in dublin 1 (city centre and north inner city) there are a combined 2,468 Ukrainian refugees and ipAs applicants. in dublin 22 – which includes Clondalkin and west dublin – there are a combined 1,799 Ukrainian refugees and ipAs applicants. Meanwhile, in dublin 4, just

23 Ukrainian refugees and 57 ipAs applicants are being housed. Mr Gannon said: “This disproportionate placing of refugees and ipAs applicants in working class areas is replicated all over the city.

“Beyond the city limits, there are a combined 1,725 Ukrainian refugees and ipAs applicants in swords – but there does not appear to be any in dalkey, Killiney or other similarly wealthy areas in south county dublin.

“The Government has repeatedly told us that everyone needs to play their part in making refugees welcome. However, these figures indicate that a disproportionate burden is being placed on working class areas.

“There has yet to be any satisfactory explanation for why buildings – like the Jury’s Hotel in dublin 4 – are being left vacant during this crisis while hundreds of refugees are being placed in commercial buildings in the north inner city.

“This Government needs to

do much more to find suitable accommodation across every area in this city.

“it cannot revert to working class areas every time it needs to find emergency accommodation for refugees and asylum applicants.

“i absolutely condemn and abhor any racism that has been directed at refugees in recent weeks and months. As a country, we have always been very welcoming and we must continue to welcome everyone who seeks protection in our country.

“But we should not expect a small number of communities to do the lion’s share of the work.

it comes as almost two-thirds of irish people say the country should not continue to take in an unlimited number of Ukrainian refugees, according to new research.

The survey, which was commissioned by Virgin Media television and carried out by red C, looked at concerns around migration in ireland.

Driver Magdalena Lucarz Kalicinska celebrating Valentine’s day - research from FREE NOW reveals that 60% of people admit to sharing details of their love life with a taxi driver. Pic: Conor McCabe

Drinkers slam Temple Bar as pints hit €10

TEMPLE BAR is back in the spotlight for its exorbitant prices, after tourists and locals alike were charged almost €10 for a pint.

A probe by the Irish Mirror visited six pubs in the area and found three were charging in excess of €9.50 for certain drinks.

The Temple Bar Pub, which was full of tourists, was the most expensive, where a pint of Heineken, Carlsberg, Hophouse 13, Bulmers, or Orchard Thieves cost €9.95 — which is believed to be the dearest in the country. While Guinness or Murphys will set revellers back €8.95 while a half pint costs €4.95.

South African Robbie Mullins said he was in shock at how expensive his beers cost. “I genuinely thought the barman was joking. The prices here are absolutely crazy, I can’t believe it.”

Down the road at Oliver St John Gogarty’s prices weren’t any

cheaper with a pint of Heineken and Rockshore costing €9.90 while Guinness was priced at €8.90. The boozer was also selling 330ml bottles of Heineken, Coors, and Rockshore for €8.20 while a shot of vodka, whiskey, or gin was €9.50.

Consumers’ Association of Ireland Chairman Michael Kilcoyne said pubs were getting away with charging such high prices because people continued to pay it. “It’s off the walls stuff, that’s extortionate. The fact tourists are willing to pay for it is a problem and that’s why these guys keep charging it.

“If the pubs weren’t able to sell it and people were going in and finding out the price and turning their heels, the pubs would soon adjust their prices. It’s extortionate but it’s up to the consumer at the end of the day. You can get a pint not too far for a lot cheaper.”

Just a short walk

from Temple Bar, O’Reilly’s, on Tara Street, is selling all pints including Guinness and Heineken for €5.

General Manager Feng Yang told the Irish Mirror: “The prices are €5 all the time. There is no happy hour or stuff like that. “When we open, our pints are €5 and when we close the pints are also €5. People are really happy about the prices. All the main pints are €5 except for two premium beers which cost €5.50.”

Two of the biggest drink brewers Diageo and Heineken have upped their prices in recent months.

“The price hike from Diageo, who makes Guinness, came into effect on February 1, after Heineken raised the cost of its drinks at the start of December, prompting some pubs to stop stocking it.

However, one publican has insisted customers have had “no reaction” to pint prices.

Martin Keane said tourists are not bothered by the cost of drinks at Dublin’s Oliver St John Gogarty.

Olympia Theatre to get a makeover

Dublin City Council has given the green light to a revamp of the Olympia Theatre’s facade. The plans came five months after the Olympia rebranded as the ‘3Olympia Theatre’ in an eight-year sponsorship deal with the telecoms giant, proving once more that nothing is sacred when it comes to our culture and heritage.

Last year, Denis Desmond’s

and Caroline Downey’s Olympia Productions Unlimited lodged plans with Dublin City Council for the revamp of the front facade.

The centrepiece of the overhaul was to be a large art deco arch that would have ‘3Olympia’ on each side and the revamp also included three LED advertising screens.

However, the large art deco

arch no longer forms part of the proposal and the LED screens are to be also omitted. The original proposal also included the Olympia’s distinctive red exterior to be repainted grey.

Denis Desmond said:

“Overall, we are happy with the outcome and look forward to commencing the ongoing refurbishment of the 3Olympia in the coming months”.

Students Lauren Dunne and Indre Trinkunaite from Whitehall College of Further Education at their pop-up shop in their college selling hand-made Valentine cards to raise funds for Temple St. Children’s Hospital. Pic: Conor McCabe

Teflon Bertie: Comeback kid or ghost of scandals past?

MICHAEL WOLSEY

CAN Bertie Ahern save Fianna Fáil? Not if he aims for a return to active politics – that would divide the party and would probably be rejected by the voters.

But if the former Taoiseach lends his knowledge and experience to the backroom team he could help revive FF’s fortunes, in Dublin at least.

Bertie has Fianna Fáil in his blood. His parents were De Valera supporters and he was active for the party from the age of 14, when he hung posters in a 1965 by-election campaign.

Back then, Fianna Fáil had 16 TDs in greater Dublin.

It had a representative in every one of the nine constituencies, which included Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and Dublin County.

The party returned two deputies in several constituencies – three in South Central where it would have been easier to weigh Seán Lemass’s votes than count them, and three in North East, where George Colley was the big attraction.

Today, although there are more greater Dublin

Grafton Street, Dublin. Lawrence, Publisher, Dublin. Postally unused, it probably dates to between 1900 and 1910 (there are no motorised vehicles on the street). It definitely predates 1916 as the DBC building, visible in the distance, was destroyed during the Easter Rising. An almost identical original glass plate negative, taken at a different date from the same angle, is in the collections of the National Library of Ireland. It was taken by Robert French, chief photographer for Lawrence. If you would like a free digital copy of this postcard just send an email to the Old Dublin Society: - olddublinsociety@gmail.com

got a new set of false teeth for a man who had lost his.

At another house, a woman complained that the Corporation wouldn’t replace her broken toilet seat.

“Bertie told one of the lads in the office to go down to the hardware shop, pick up a toilet seat and put it on for her.”

You can’t teach tricks like that and, anyway, I suspect the time for that sort of blatant clientelism has passed.

But Mr Ahern has other skills that could be invaluable to the party.

After the next general election, Fianna Fáil will have crucial choices to make. It could team up with Fine Gael again.

He formed coalitions with the Progressive Democrats under Mary Harney and Michael McDowell, with whom he had little in common.

He kept David Trimble, a touchy and surly man, onside during the difficult talks that led to the Good Friday Agreement. He worked closely with Tony Blair and he later formed a genuine friendship with Ian Paisley and his wife Eileen.

When Paisley’s own DUP and Free Presbyterian church turned against him, she was grateful for the good words spoken by Ahern.

She also valued Bertie’s tributes and personal condolences on her husband’s death.

So yes, if FF wants a broker, it needs look no further than Bertie Ahern.

Mud didn’t stick to Bertie. He slipped unscathed past many a Fianna Fáil scandal and acquired the reputation of a Teflon Taoiseach.

But, in the end, his mysterious financial dealings brought him down.

constituencies, Fianna Fáil has only seven TDs here. The party has no deputy in four of the 11 constituencies, including Bertie’s own Dublin Central bailiwick, where his FF ruled supreme.

Ahern is a quintessential Dubliner as, in their different ways, were Lemass and Colley.

The party has missed that instinctive local touch and nowhere in the city has it created a vote-catching machine that comes even close to Bertie’s formidable Drumcondra mafia.

So if anyone can lift FF off the floor it should be the man Charlies Haughey called “the most cunning, the most devious

of them all”. However, I’m not sure his strategy can be taught. A lot of his success was due to his own personality and relentless hard work.

When it came to electioneering, he was a shameless Mr Fixit.

One canvasser tells how Bertie

Neither party is doing well but all polls suggest they would have enough votes to form a government. Alternatively, Fianna Fáil could side with Sinn Féin in a government with a comfortable majority.

The choice, and the balance of the coalition that is formed, will determine the future of Fianna Fáil, if it has one.

The party will have to make a deal and in the entire history of Irish politics there has never been a better deal-maker than Bertie Ahern.

He always denied wrongdoing and, unlike Haughey, he lived, and still lives, in a modest style.

Nevertheless, Bertie has too much of the Ghost of Fianna Fáil Past about him, to allow a run for the Presidency or a return to the Dáil.

Arguably, he is too old now in any case, although he is younger than President Higgins and, for that matter, President Biden.

Whatever his flaws, Bertie Ahern is a man of huge talent and great experience. Neither his party nor the country should let them go to waste.

Council pays 44pc over odds for social homes

Dublin City Council overpaid contractors by more than 40pc to build social homes compared with private developers, a new report shows.

The report, commissioned two years ago, confirms concerns raised by senior executives in Dublin City Council (DCC) in 2020 that building costs were unusually high for social housing projects.

Following an audit, preliminary findings were presented to the DCC Housing Committee meeting in november last year.

However, the report was not made available to councillors until January, with a disclaimer that the document was for the exclusive use of Dublin City Council.

The report was finally made available to the public following pressure from city councillors.

The stark findings show that since 2019, DCC paid an estimated €335,000 for a onebed apartment.

in contrast, it cost a private developer an estimated €250,000 to build a onebedroom social home.

For a two-bed social home, Dublin City Council paid contractors an estimated €514,000, compared to the estimated €358,000 it cost private developers.

Overall, the report shows the council paid contractors 34pc more for a one-bedroom apartment and 44pc more for a two-bedroom apartment compared to what it cost a private developer.

During the period examined, between 2019 and 2022, more than 2,000 social housing units were constructed directly by Dublin City Council.

Over the next five years, the council are tasked to build 7,000 units directly.

The report highlights the failure of the council to efficiently manage the cost of housing projects.

Reflecting on the report, former lord Mayor of Dublin, Green Party member Hazel Chu, said she was “not surprised” by the high costs due the higher quality of materials used in council properties.

“We need to maintain a high quality of standards

when it comes to council built properties, but i do wonder about the management. We need to manage the costs better,” she said.

“The 44pc [more for a twobedroom apartment compared to what it cost a private developer] is shocking, it is a big range. but factoring in the material difference, the quality of the apartments and the facilities, i’m not too surprised.

“i’m not defending the council, there shouldn’t be a cost difference at all, however, i don’t think this is like with like.

“There are community playgrounds in some of our council builds whereas there are none in the private ones,” she added.

Meanwhile, Dublin city councillor James Geoghegan (Fine Gael) said the council “has not been managing costs of their projects to a standard that would be expected of a local authority”.

“They don’t have the proper cost management processes in place so contractors are building homes and costs are escalating,” he said.

Why workplaces must be ‘age-friendly’ for over-65s

IrIsh employers will need to make their workplaces more “age-friendly” to accommodate greater numbers of workers aged over 65, according to new research.

Latest census data show the over-65s are the fastest growing population segment in Ireland, and this increase in the older population is a trend projected to continue.

Moves towards increasing the state pension age and the removal of mandatory retirement mean the age-profile of the workforce is likely to increase significantly.

A study into the implications of longer working lives says employers will need to invest in redesigning offices or factory floors to allow older workers to thrive for longer.

The report gives the example of a BMW plant in Germany, which noted a decline in productivity at the plant where there was a higher number of older workers.

Employers introduced physical changes to reduce wear and tear on workers’ bodies, such as magnifying lenses to reduce eye strain, weight-adapted footwear and special chairs and tables which adapted to each worker’s height. In addition, a physiotherapist developed strength and stretching exercises for the workers.

The changes led to a 7% increase in productivity, and lower levels of absenteeism.

The study, Living longer,

learning longer – working longer? Implications for new workforce dynamics, by academics at Dublin City University (DCU) says flexible employment terms will also

be needed to make work more flexible to retain employees as they grow older. This includes more part-time work, jobsharing and home-working options to allow older people

fulfil caring and other roles. The report also highlights the need for more access to lifelong education given the rapid pace of change in the nature of work.

“The only certainty is that working life in the future will require adaptability, flexibility and the continuous acquisition of new skills,”says the report.

“While for many individuals

this may mean selfemployment, for employers (public as well as private) this points to the creation of workplaces where lifelong learning is supported for all employees as critical.” Ireland, however, has a relatively poor track record of adult participation in lifelong learning, with rates of participation below the EU average and declining with age. This, the report says, would benefit the over-50s in particular by giving them the necessary education and training to maintain and enhance skills and knowledge to help equip them for longer working.

The report also addresses “misconceptions” about older workers, such as that they are unwilling to engage in education and training. research indicates that older workers were found to be as likely to succeed in education and training as younger colleagues.

It also cites a study which indicates that older workers appear to perform as well as younger colleagues, subject to good health and updated skills.

“Evidently a balance needs to be found between, on the one hand, recognising the functional capacities of older workers and, on the other, providing relevant support to ensure optimal performance,” says the report.

Care provider to recruit 1,000 in job hire blitz

HOME Instead, Ireland’s largest private provider of home care services has launched Home Instead Hiring Week, a national campaign of events will run until Friday, February 24, that aims to hire 1,000 professional caregivers to join its nearly 4,000-strong team.

The provider will be hosting events at several locations across Dublin.

Shane Jennings, Chief Executive Officer, Home Instead Ireland said, “The professional caregiver role is ideal for caring and compassionate individuals who are seeking job stability with a flexible schedule and a supportive environment as well as continued opportunities for career progression.”

“We like to say that it takes a special person to become a professional Home Instead caregiver . . .  and a desire to share their talents and skills with those they care for.  It is a rewarding career for individuals from every walk of life and age group.  Our teams are looking forward to meeting those interested in a meaningful career in home care at our

events during Home Instead Hiring Week.  We are a great company to work for with a culture steeped in values.  We would not be where we are today without our exceptional employees.”

All Home Instead caregivers are provided training through Home Instead’s unique Home Care Professionals Academy with access to state-of-the-art content and practical training. caregivers receive recognition through award programmes, appreciation initiatives and social events.

Mr Jennings added: “Thanks to this culture of support, caregivers feel a deep sense of belonging that they are part of a professional, compassionate and winning team that makes a difference in the lives of ageing adults every day.”

If you are interested in a career in care, recruitment and hiring events run until Friday 24th February. Visit www.HomeInstead.ie/HiringWeek for full list of locations in Dublin.

Meanwhile, Lidl is to create over 200 new jobs in

Dublin this year. It comes following the announcement of more than 700 new jobs within its Irish operations in a variety of operational and office-based roles across its network of 176 store locations, three regional distribution centres and Dublin head office.

These new roles will bring Lidl’s total workforce in the Republic of Ireland to more than 6,000 employees for the first time, with the retailer employing 7,500 on the island of Ireland.

Lidl has also announced a €4.8m investment in pay increases in Dublin. All employees will benefit from an increase from March 1st, 2023.

On average this will result in a 7.5% pay increase for employees, approximately between €2,000-€2,500 additional for every employee per annum.

This increase is in addition to the retailer’s commitment in October to paying the new Living Wage rate of €13.85 as recommended by the Living Wage Technical Group. Visit www.jobs.lidl.ie

Sod turned homes

Tuath Deputy CEO Bronagh D’Arcy, Mayor of Fingal Cllr Howard Mahony, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien and Tuath Development Manager Marie McNamara at the official sod turning of Kilhedge Lane in Lusk

independentliving

turned on 31 new homes for older people

On February 10, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Howard Mahony welcomed Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien to Lusk for the official sod turning of Kilhedge Lane, a new housing development being delivered by Tuath Housing in partnership with Fingal County Council. Kilhedge Lane is a sheltered housing scheme that will provide 31 new single-story homes for older persons and is due for delivery in 2024.

The development – which will be built on land owned by Fingal County Council - will consist of 18 two-bed homes and 13 one-beds with an additional communal facility area for residents.

The new homes are being funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage via the Capital Assistance Scheme.

The architects for the project are Walsh Associates and the main contractor is M.L Quinn Construction.

Tuath delivered its first homes in partnership with Fingal County Council back in 2010 at Garristown, in northwest Fingal, and has continued working with the local authority since to deliver over 635 homes throughout the County.

Tuath has now delivered over 10,100 homes nationwide in every local authority area, housing some 26,000 people. Minister for Housing, Local

Government & Heritage Darragh

O’Brien commented: “Turning the sod on Kilhedge Lane, a new older person’s development in Lusk, is a real highlight for me.

|”It’s Government’s ambition to enable everyone, of all ages, to live longer healthier lives in their own homes and communities.

“I would like to commend Fingal County Council and Tuath on bringing this project to fruition and I look forward to seeing it progress.”

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Howard Mahony said: “Addressing the housing needs for all groups across the community is a key priority for us, so I welcome the development of these tailor-made homes for older people in the heart of Lusk.”

New Dementia Café opens

Minister for special education and inclusion

Josepha Madigan launched a Dementia Café and tranquillity Garden at ringsend and irishtown Community Centre (riCC) on February 15.

riCC in partnership with the Alzheimer’s society of ireland (ALs) aims to provide a much needed social outlet, not only for local residents with dementia, but also providing a social outlet for their relatives / carers, while facilitating access to information and support.

Along with the Dementia Café, riCC’s new tranquillity room and beautiful sensory gardens is also available to those who need support. The objective and expected outcomes of riCC and ALs would be to benefit the proposed service users by tackling the isolation faced by older people, particularly people with dementia and their carers/families.

Also in attendance were representatives from the Active retirement Group, youth service and the lovely sheila

Flitton from Banshees of inisherin who is 90 years young and Geraldine Plunkett, Age Friendly Ambassador. The riCC Dementia Café tranquillity and sensory Gardens will incorporate activities into the service specific to the needs of people with dementia and the various stages of dementia. The activities programme would be developed in consultation with the services users and/ or their chosen representatives.

Young men top list of bad drivers but older people not far behind

Young men are perceived to be the most dangerous users of our roads according to new consumer research from Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC (Aviva), with 34% of respondents claiming this.

This was followed by e-Scooter users at 20%, whilst 17% believe that cyclists are the most dangerous.

The survey, which polled 1,000 adults nationwide was conducted by iReach Insights on behalf of Aviva. older women were cited as the most dangerous road users by 10% of respondents, with 8% claiming that older men are. Further insights from the research revealed:

39% of women and 29% of men claimed that young men are the most dangerous, highest amongst both the 25-44 and 55+ age cohorts at 38% 22% of men and 18% of women selected e-Scooter users as the most dangerous – most evidence amongst those aged 18-24 (55%)

Men and women were broadly similar in their attitudes towards cyclists at 16% and 18% respectively – highest amongst those aged 55+ at 21%

Commenting Billy Shannon,

Aviva said: “The provisional review of fatalities on our roads* issued by the Road Safety Authority in January revealed some shocking statistics, with 150 fatal collisions on our roads in 2022 that resulted in 156 deaths. This was 26 more fatal accidents and 19 more deaths than were recorded in 2021. Behind each of these dreadful statistics are families and friends whose lives have changed forever following the untimely deaths of their loved ones. We can only hope that the doubling of fines for speeding and other traffic offences announced by the Department of Transport last october will have a positive impact and encourage drivers to abide by the rules of the road and in turn, help save lives.

“The Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan has confirmed that an upcoming Road Traffic and Roads Bill will regulate the use of e-Scooters this year. He has indicated that a clause will be inserted in the Bill stating that e-Scooters users must travel under 25 kph if they want to avoid insurance and tax. If implemented, it is imperative that this law be enforced for the safety of other road users and,

to better protect pedestrians”.

The Aviva research also asked survey respondents who they believe make the better drivers overall – men or women, with the majority (63%) claiming there is no difference. However, 22% cited men as being better at driving while 16% suggested it was women.

The results of the question as to which gender is better at parking, with 48% claiming that there is no difference.

However, in this instance, 45% cited men as being better at parking, while only 7% said that women are.

other highlights from the research include:

The highest percentage of those who believe men are better at driving were respondents aged 25-34, with the highest figure claiming women are from those aged 45-54 at 18%.

56% of respondents aged 55+ claimed that men are better at parking compared with 10% of those aged 18-34 years.

“Evidently it really is a moot point as to which of us make the better drivers and are more confident when it comes to parking, particularly in tight spaces.”

Mary Kennedy and Áine Uí Dhubhshláine at the launch of Mary Kennedy - Fad Saoil on TG4, tackles the wide range of impacts the ageing process has on women – from loneliness, to concerns of physical and mental health to osteoporosis, to navigating the world of sex in your more senior years, and to ageism in the workplace

your stars

trustfall

Pink

THE Grammy-winning singer and her toddler son, Jameson, battled severe cases of Covid-19 just days into the pandemic, and then her family lost two loved ones to cancer in 2021. Pink channeled her anxiety and grief into Trustfall, on which she documents her journey to accepting even the most difficult changes in life. The vulnerable record alternates between tearjerking ballads and dance-floor anthems, a sonic play on the dizzying mood swings that often come with tough times and is one of her finest works yet, albeit softer, a bit more tender and less party-like . . . well, she is 43? “We’re never getting younger, so I’m gonna have some fun.”

AriesStick to practical priorities with shared finances. Ignore chaos, confusion and distractions. Secure the ground taken.

TAurus-

Don’t make assumptions about your partner. If you want to know something, ask. Keep an open mind. You can get the inside story.

GeminiThe workload may seem intense. Focus carefully on the job at hand to reduce technical error. Stay in communication.

C A n C erRomance could flower, despite unexpected changes. Look for opportunities for fun and find them. Enjoy excellent company.

LeoCompute expenses and monitor in real time to avoid unpleasant surprises. Changes could disrupt the schedule.

Vir G oUse your power responsibly. Hold yourself to high standards. Keep your promises, standards and word. Integrity makes things work.

Libr ADig into unexpected revelations. New facts dispel old fears. Study the latest developments. Present your findings to your network.

sCorpioTry a gentle approach with domestic matters. Someone in your family could use extra loving. List the problems to solve.

sAG i TTA riusStep back and let a controversy sail on by. Clear out clutter. Clean your room. Offer advice only if asked. Plan for what’s ahead.

C A pri CornDon’t make assumptions or expensive promises. Confer with allies to get the inside scoop. Inspire others to succeed.

AquA rius-

A professional goal is within sight. Focus and winning is a distinct possibility. Get your team on your side. Prepare for a test.

p is C es-

A travel or study opportunity is worth investigating. Find out what’s involved. Look for answers to tough questions. Contribute to a greater cause.

john colleary: loud & colleary tour

Thursday October 5-Saturday October 7, Liberty Hall

APART from being one of the most in-demand comics in the land, John Colleary has also co-written and starred in IFTA nominated shows, The Savage Eye (RTÉ2) and Irish Pictorial Weekly (RTÉ One). Other TV credits include appearances on Stand & Deliver (Live from Róisín Dubh) and The Panel (RTÉ2). A talented actor and mimic, John featured as one third of The Gusset Brothers on The Tommy Tiernan Show (RTÉ One). Tickets for his Dublin shows on his ‘Loud & Colleary’ tour are selling fast, so if you fancy a cracking night of laughter, you better hurry. Tickets can be bought now from www.johncolleary.ie

Welcome to i reland — m eltdo W n of an i rish tour g uide

Civic Theatre, Tallaght, 16 March; Project Arts Centre, 21 - 25 March; Axis Theatre, Ballymun, 30 & 31 March

JACK is a tour guide trying to keep his head above water while in danger of losing his home. By day he sells ‘Brand Ireland’ to tourists; by night, he faces the threat of eviction from his damp Capel Street flat. Well-loved actor Jack Walsh is a familiar face — most notably for his role as Jimmy Bourke in Killinaskully Vikings: Valhalla Season 2 on Netflix, Fair City and Ripper Street. This brilliant oneman show is topical, funny but also heartfelt and incredibly passionate.

knock at the cabin

Cinemas Nationwide

A young couple and their adopted daughter (Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, Kristen Cui) arrive at a secluded cabin for a family getaway. However, they are soon visited by four individuals who quickly subdue them and force them to make an impossible choice for an equally improbable reason — one of the three family members must willingly kill one of their own, and if they do not, the world will end... as this is M Night Shyamalan, expect the unexpected at the end. And you won’t be disappointed at this gripping tale.

What’s Hot this week

pamela: a love story

Netflix

NETFLIX’S new documentary, Pamela, a Love Story, is the second offering about Pamela Anderson to emerge in a barrage of tales of famous women of the ’90s and 2000s who we now believe ourselves to have wronged. She reveals that she was molested as a child by an adult woman, that her first boyfriend was physically and emotionally abusive, and that she dated a string of well-known celebrities throughout the late ‘80s and early ‘90s before she met Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee. She wears no makeup and talks openly about her sex life, her failed marriages, and some of the darkest moments in her life. Honest and engaging.

ncbi vintage fashion range

www.ncbi.ie/ vintage-collection/

IF Vintage style is your bag, then you are in luck, as the National Council for the Blind is spreading Vintage fashion fever across Dublin by expanding the Vintage collection to NCBI stores in Blackrock, Fairview, Phibsborough, Dun Laoghaire and Malahide. NCBI Retail has thousands of vintage pieces from brands like Ralph Lauren, Prada, Armani, Timberland, Nike, Puma, Adidas, Asics, Ellesse and more. Sports fans could also find a gem as the Vintage Range extends to retro football and American sport jerseys.

great irish bake for sick children

To register: www.childrenshealth.ie/greatirishbake

TV host, award-wining food writer and Great Irish Bake for Sick Children ambassador, Donal Skehan was joined by young baker and Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street patient Saoibh Lonergan to officially launch the sweetest campaign of the year - the Great Irish Bake. Saoibh appeared on the 2022 Late Late Toy Show, when she won the hearts of the nation by singing her own song, ‘Raining Rainbows’. Saoibh, Donal and Children’s Health Foundation are asking individuals, families and workplaces to host their own Great Irish Bake event on Friday, 31st March and raise vital funds to support sick children in CHI at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght and Connolly.

ga elic players podcast

Spotify and Apple Podcasts

THE Gaelic Players Association podcast, The Player’s Voice, is back for the 2023 season following a 21-episode run last year. Host Alan O’Mara will be sitting down with players across the four codes, to talk about a variety of topics that have impacted their lives both positively and negatively. Guests, including Dublin’s Leah Caffrey (above) will discuss the lessons they have learned, pass on their advice to their fellow players and make an honest assessment of how they’ve tried to find balance between their sporting commitments and personal lives.

We’ve got more dosh than the rest Two puppies ‘left to die on pile of rubbish’ Lotto winner’s ticket ‘in a drawer’

INCOME inequality is growing between Ireland’s wealthiest and poorest counties, the latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows, with Dubliners getting the lion’s share. Dublin’s disposable income per person at €27,686 was 18% higher than the State average in 2020 — and an increase of 2.3% from 2019.

Limerick had the second highest disposable income in the country at €26,248 per person, followed by Cork at €23,856.

For the purpose of the study, the CSO defined disposable income as total income minus taxes and social insurance contributions.

Total disposable income in Dublin overall was the highest in the State, rising for the fourth consecutive year to €39bn.

The agency’s report also indicated that more than a third of all employees in the Republic worked in Dublin in 2020, while 12% worked in Cork.

Dublin, as an economic region, recorded the highest GDP in the State at €157.2bn, followed by the southwest region at €103.2 bn.

THE Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has voiced its shock after two dogs with a potentially fatal virus were found dumped in a pile of rubbish.

Pan and Crumb, who appear to be terriers, were found in a box left on the pile of rubbish in Finglas.

According to the DSPCA, “they were purposely placed there and left to die”.

“Pan and Crumb are eight weeks old. They have tested positive for parvovirus, which is a fatal disease, so fingers crossed they’re going to pull through,” Gillian Bird from the DSPCA said.

“Were they abandoned because they were sick? Is the mother sick? Are there other puppies or dogs in the house who could have this virus?

“Our greatest concern is that there is a mother out there. Where is she? Are they going to get her neutered or are they just trying to get rid of puppies? If she doesn’t get neutered, she could have more puppies.

“The question is, were they dumped? Did the mum have the pups and left them there? Where is she?

“Our plea to people is please, please do not abandon animals, it’s against the law and is totally inhumane and unnecessary.

“This is a crime, abandoning an animal is a crime. It’s unnecessary, there are rescue groups all over the country. There are dog shelters who will take the animal in, there’s no need for them to be abandoned.

“We’re delighted that we have

them and we’re very grateful to the public for finding them.”

The puppies are both being treated with medication and the DSPCA is hoping they can make a full recovery. They DSPCA also said they have a foster home lined up to

care for them as soon as they eel it’s safe for them to leave the shelter.

The DSPCA can be contacted on 01-4994700. To report animal abuse, go to: www. dspca.ie/report-animalcruelty-form

Trinity tops list as college costs soar Looking for grinds School Is Easy is here to help you

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Many parents who want their children to enjoy the benefits of one-to-one tuition are, nevertheless, nervous about having a stranger in their home or sending young students to a tuition centre. school is Easy (sIE) can solve that problem.

We provide safe, online tutorials that are recorded so that your child can future reference any topic covered.

When you work with sIE, you will get nothing but the best.

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Our certified tutors will provide an initial assessment, if you need it, to ascertain your child’s requirements.

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TRINITY college has emerged as the most expensive college in Europe for students to attend, in a new worldwide study.

It topped the Credit Summit list of the best (but least affordable) universities for accommodation costs, college fees, loan availability, and other factors such as average rent and food costs.

Amid rising college costs, Credit Summit has done some research on the cheapest (and the most expensive) countries to go to college in order to rack up the least debt.

The index of accommodation costs, college fees, loan availability, and other factors such as average rent and food costs revealed that in order to come away with the least debt, students across the globe may be looking to avoid heading to Dublin for college.

Dublin and Ireland have faced a lot of criticism from students over the last number of years as accommodation and costs of living continue to rise rapidly, putting a strain on

A DUBLIN Lotto winner who took almost three months to claim a €250,000 prize has revealed he “knew all along” that he had won.

The man, who wishes to stay anonymous, recently claimed his Lotto Plus 2 top prize from November just days before it expired.

The winner said the ticket had been in his bedside drawer for the past couple of months. “I knew all along that I’d won but I just wanted a little bit of time to let it sink in,” he said.

“Then I started reading and hearing urgent calls being made by the National Lottery asking Dublin players to check their tickets.

The ticket was purchased on Monday 14th November at Maxol service station, Ringsend Road, in Dublin 4.

When asked about how he might spend his winnings, the winner replied: “Well I’ve had time to think about it and I plan to spend every penny and enjoy it, but I’m not telling you how!”

Warning as water outage scheduled

many students. Now, Dublin’s Trinity college has landed itself the top spot in a list of the best and priciest EU Universities compiled by the debt experts at Credit Summit.

London’s Imperial College also topped the list of expensive colleges in second place, with Technical University Munich placing at number three, and another German college, Berlin’s The Free University coming in fourth.

Cardiff University in the UK landed the fifth spot, followed closely by Ireland’s University of Galway.

To calculate the list, Credit Summit analysed some of the top college towns in the EU, looking at costs of food, tuition, fees, accommodation, travel, and entertainment costs per city.

Carter Seuthe, CEO of Credit Summit said: “For many people, going to college can be a stressful experience as well as an educational one, partially due to the financial pressures involved.

THERE will be water outages affecting 350,000 Irish Water customers in north Dublin on Sunday, February 26, while work is ongoing to connect a new pipeline.

In order to safely facilitate the new connection, there will be no water supply from 1am until approximately 11am. Irish Water has said the supply will begin to return after 11am. However, it could take up to 10 hours for a normal supply to return. The outage will impact customers in the following areas: Swords, Santry, Malahide, Portmarnock, Kinsealy, Ballyboughal, Lissenhall, Donabate, Portrane, Turvey, Loughshinny, Palmerstown, Rush, Lusk, and nearby M1 service stations and surrounding areas.

During the outage, there will be an alternative water supply at the following locations: Tesco shopping centre in Rush; Rathmore Park car park in Lusk; Seaview Park car park in Portrane; Donabate/ Portrane community centre car park; St Finian’s Church in Swords south; St Colmcille’s GAA club in Swords; Church of the Sacred Heart in Malahide; and Portmarnock Sports and Leisure Club.

We take a look back at extracts from old newspapers to see what was in the news this month in years gone by