Pizza outlet to replace medical centre in Roselawn
Friday, December 30, 2011
Roselawn Shopping Centre is to lose the Medical Centre for a pizza outlet if planners approve an application from Four Star Pizza.
Christmas Tree Collection Points
Thursday, December 29, 2011
FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL (Comhairle Chontae Fhine Gall) Christmas Tree Collection Points
from 3rd – 12th January 2012
Please note for 2013 the Mellenium Park is now the only location for Christmas Tree Disposal in Dublin 15 Area.
Read more...
Local jobs saved in time for Christmas
Monday, December 19, 2011
As a member of the Fingal County Enterprise Board I have seen plenty of good news stories in 2011. Fingal is buzzing with lots of new start-up companies rising from the ashes of the Celtic Tiger.
The FCEB provides a range of supports to help anyone establishing a new business and owner/managers of existing small businesses who wish to grow their enterprise. The supports include an initial 'First Stop Shop' service for business information, management skills training, business advice, networking opportunities and financial supports.
One of the FCEB successes is reported on below by Jack Gleeson in the Northside People.
Darragh Richardson, Managing Director of Agile Networks Ltd pictured with Oisin Geoghegan, CEO, Fingal County Enterprise Board
SIX local jobs which were under threat in Dublin 15 have been secured just in time for the festive season.
Start-up company Agile Networks in Blanchardstown, which specialises in network integration, was formed following a management buy-out of the Irish operations of Telindus just last month and the jobs were guaranteed last week following approval of a substantial enterprise grant.
Recycling centres opening hours for Christmas
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Reserved Functions of Local Authorities
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The reserved functions of a local authority (those performed by the elected members by resolution) comprise decisions on all major matters, for example:
- adopting the annual estimate of expenses and striking the rate; borrowing money;
- making or varying a development plan; making, amending or revoking bye-laws;
- nominating persons to act on committees or other public bodies; demanding expenses from any other local authority;
- the adoption of house-building programmes; adopting a scheme of letting priorities.
Read more...
The Greater Dublin Drainage Project - Myths and Facts
Friday, November 25, 2011
Fingal County Council has posted new information about the Greater Dublin Drainage project on the www.greaterdublindrainage.ie site to counteract misinformed facts circulating about the Project.
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Fleet Connect wins National Enterprise Award
Congratulations to local entrepreneur Patrick Cotter of Fleet Connect who won the Best New Business Award at the National Enterprise Awards at Dublin Castle last night.
Work to begin on Luttrellstown Community College
Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, has confirmed that work will begin on the Porterstown School Campus in 2012.
Read more...
Tyrrelstowns gets Multi Use Games Area
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Following extensive consultation with the Tyrrelstown Residents, agreement has been reached on the location of the new Multi Use Games Area. The contractor has commenced works on site which is adjacent to the playground. The new all-weather pitch will be in place in the next 6 to 8 weeks, but this is weather dependant. It will be identical to the facility recently completed in the Millennium Park, Blanchardstown.
Read more...
Free Recycling for Batteries, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
European Recycling Platform in association with Fingal County Council will be holding 2 Open Days later this month where householders will be entitled to bring Batteries and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) free of charge for recycling (Fridge, washing machine, fluorescent tubes, microwaves, stereos, TVs, etc…).
Read more...
Draft Retail Planning Guidelines
Monday, November 21, 2011
Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, today published for public consultation, draft Retail Planning Guidelines. The aim of the draft Guidelines is to ensure that the planning system plays a key role in ensuring competitiveness in the retail sector advancing choice for the consumer while promoting and supporting the vitality and viability of city and town centres and contributing to a high standard of urban design and encouraging a greater use of sustainable transport.
New Acute Psychiatric Unit at Beaumont
The Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, T.D., today turned the sod on the new Adult Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Facility to be built on the Beaumont Hospital campus in Dublin.
Read more...
Tyrrelstown bus changes
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Dublin Bus will be introducing service revisions for the Tyrrelstown area on Sunday 13th November. Full details on the revised services can be found here.
Key changes include:
Read more...
Rural Housecount Survey
Saturday, October 29, 2011
The Planning Department is currently carrying out its Annual Rural Housecount Survey. The gardai, in each area have been notified and all staff carry valid Fingal County Council identification. House owners should request to see this identification and if necessary ring the Planning Department to confirm identities at 01 8905670.
This year, in addition to the normal checks on planning permissions, planning staff are confirming the presence and location of septic tanks and proprietary on-site wastewater treatment systems. The purpose of this exercise is to confirm the number and location of such systems within the county. This work will continue over the next month or so.
Swords water shortage
Friday, October 21, 2011
A major burst occurred on the 30” watermain at Lissenhall, Swords yesterday 20th October. Council engineers and crew have isolated the burst and are on site carrying out repairs.
Total water loss may be experienced by consumers from Lissenhall to North Street, Swords. Water should be restored by 11pm Saturday October 22nd .
Fingal identifies nine sites for major regional waste water treatment plant
Monday, October 10, 2011
Fingal County Council has identified nine potential land parcels in the northern part of the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), within which a proposed regional wastewater treatment plant could potentially be located, along with a marine outfall and an orbital drainage system.
The new infrastructure is needed to provide sustainable and reliable drainage and wastewater treatment for the GDA to meet current and future economic, industrial and residential demands, to protect the environment and to meet the EU Water Framework Directive standards. Fingal County Council will spend the next six weeks between 10th October and 18th November consulting with the public and will hold Open Days with the Project Team at County Hall, Swords.
The report was
welcomed by the Chairman of the Council’s Environment Committee, Councillor Kieran Dennison.
"This facility is very badly needed for Fingal and for the greater Dublin area. The regions waste infrastructure is already streatched. At current growth rates the Poolbeg treatment plant will reach full capacity in ten years time. The aim is to have this plant built and connected to the drainage system by then. We are fortunate that funding is still available for the project. I really hope we do not have the same delays that beset so many of our infrastructural projects over the years such as the M50 and the Poolbeg incinerator.
"The provision of the regional wastewater
treatment plant is essential to allow for economic growth and inward investment
in the area. This is about keeping jobs in the Dublin area and if it is delayed the IDA may
have to divert major inward investment projects elsewhere.
Following assessment of the public submissions, a further narrowing of the options will take place next spring into early summer. There will then be another round of public consultation. The preferred site is due for selection by the end of next year.
A planning application is expected to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála in 2013. Construction is due to begin in 2017 and the plant should be operational by 2020.
Following assessment of the public submissions, a further narrowing of the options will take place next spring into early summer. There will then be another round of public consultation. The preferred site is due for selection by the end of next year.
A planning application is expected to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála in 2013. Construction is due to begin in 2017 and the plant should be operational by 2020.
Read more...
Fingal 'Pop-Up' Shop Initiative
Friday, October 7, 2011
Read more...
Fingal hands waste collection service over to Panda
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Fingal County Council today announced that it has reached agreement with Panda Waste Management, for the sale of its residential and commercial waste collection service.
Read more...
Voting in the elections
Following the moving of the writ in Dáil Eireann yesterday, Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, made an order today (5thOctober 2011) appointing Thursday, 27th October 2011 as the polling day for the Dublin West Bye-Election – the same day as polling nationally in the Presidential election and referendums.
Polling will be between the hours of 7.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m.
Read more...
Disruption to water supply in the North City Fringe and parts of rural North County Dublin
Monday, October 3, 2011
Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council advise that due to essential major emergency works on the water supply network in North Dublin there will be an unavoidable disruption to water supply in the north city fringe and parts of rural north County Dublin over the weekend of Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October 2011.
Read more...
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The Socialist Party are proposing to nominate David Norris to be a candidate for the Presidential Election at our special meeting on September 20th. It will be interesting to see if he attracts the same support as on the last occasion that Fingal nominated him. You can view the proceedings here
The Labour Party have proposed that six independents to be nominated including Dermot Mulqueen below.
Read more...
Phoenix Park Station renamed Navan Road Parkway
Monday, September 12, 2011
Iarnród Éireann has decided to rename Phoenix Park Station on the Dublin to Maynooth line to Navan Road Parkway following customer consultation. See my previous posts on this here and here
Fingal to hear from Presidential hopefuls
Thursday, September 8, 2011
An additional item is being entered on the Agenda for the Meeting of the County Council to be held at 3.45 p.m. on Monday 12th September, 2011, in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Swords. The following prospective candidates for President of Ireland will be invited to make presentations to the council at a special meeting on September 20th at 2pm.
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| Dr. Pat Jones outside his home on Burrin Street, Carlow |
Mary Davis
Gary Smylie
Richard McSweeney
Sean Gallagher
Joseph Duffy
Garrett Kelly
Dr. Pat Jones Read more...
Common Enrolment Procedures for Luttrellstown Community College and Castleknock Community College
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Castleknock Community College was established to meet the needs of the community of Dublin 15 and has served the parishes of St. Brigids, Castleknock, St Thomas the Apostle, Laurel Lodge & Porterstown. Since 1995 the population of Dublin 15 has dramatically increased and the demand for secondary school places has been a source of great concern for parents, schools and community groups. The County Dublin VEC has responded to these concerns and has established two new Community Colleges in recent years: Coláiste Pobail Setanta in 2008 and Luttrellstown Community College in 2009. Moreover, The County Dublin VEC has established two new Community Primary Schools: Scoil Gráinne 2008 and Scoil Choilm 2006
As part of a strategic review of enrolment in the Dublin 15 a process was commenced in September 2010 which engaged with principals, board of management representatives and parent representatives from primary schools in Dublin 15. Moreover local community groups and politicians have been included in the process to discuss enrolment.
A number of key concerns were raised in relation to the enrolment policy at Castleknock Community College.
- It was widely acknowledged that Castleknock Community College can no longer provide places to all eligible applicants given the dramatic increase in population in Dublin 15.
- Under the length of residency rule, families must be living in the catchment area for 12 years to be offered a place for 2011.
- The consequence of this situation is that those living less than twelve years in the catchment area will most likely be offered a place in Luttrellstown Community College.
- The intake of both schools therefore does not reflect the diversity of their community.
Both Castleknock Community College and Luttrellstown Community College will continue to work in partnership and provide for the community of Dublin 15.
- Both Colleges will continue to serve a general catchment area. The general catchment area will be divided into two areas A & B.
- The priority catchment area of Luttrellstown C.C. is defined below as Area A.
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- Castlefield,
- Limelawn,
- Charnwood,
- Aspin,
- Sorrel Park
- Shelerin Road to Ongar Road junction
- Allendale Square,
- Winderemere
- Aldemere
- Portersgate
- Mount Symon
- Larch Grove
- Lambourn
- The Orchard
- Weavers Hall
- Weavers Row
- Weavers Walk
- The Village
- St Mochtas
- Stationcourt
- Station View
- Portersfield
- Woodbrook
- Riverwood
- Annfield
- Windmill
- Kellystown Road
- Rugged Lane
- Sandholes
- Barberstown
- Barnhill
Area B is defined as follows:
(a) The Parish Boundary of Our Lady Mother of the Church (St. Brigid’s), Castleknock.
(b) The Parish Boundary of St. Thomas the Apostle, Laurel Lodge.
(c) The following areas in Porterstown:
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- Lutrellstown Wood, Avenue, Close, View, Park, Walk, Green, Lawn, Heath, Drive, Dale, Chase, Grove, Court, Glade, Thicket, Place, Way, Rise, Heights & Oaks.
- Fernleigh
- Luttrel Park
- Warren Park
- Burnell
- Bramley
- Mulberry
- College Gate
- Outfarm Lane
- Park Manor
- Oldfarm
- Carpenterstown Road
- The Beeches
- Somerton Lane
- Mountain View Cottages
- Homeleigh
- Diswellstown Cottages
- Sandpits
- Strawberry Beds
Applicants living in Area B and attending any of the listed Primary Schools will have priority access to Castleknock CC
Primary Schools
- Castleknock Educate Together N.S.
- Castleknock National School
- Scoil Choilm C.N.S.
- Scoil Oilibhéir.
- Scoil Thomáis N.S. Laurel Lodge.
- St Brigid’s N.S. Castleknock.
- St Patrick’s N.S. Diswellstown.
- St Mochta’s N.S. Porterstown
Under the new policy parents may apply to one or both Colleges. If parents wish their daughter/son to be considered for both Colleges they must indicate their first and second preference when making their application. If an applicant is unsuccessful in their first preference they will renter the selection process at stage 7. It is important that parents give careful consideration to their first and second preference and how the process will work. Applicants will be invited to return their completed application form to the College they have chosen as their first preference. Both Colleges will liaise closely throughout the enrolment process.
Qualifications – Selection Criteria for Lutrellstown Community College
- Siblings of existing students enrolled at Lutrellstown Community College. (See Note 1)
- Applicants living in the catchment area from Area A attending Scoil Choilm C.N.S. (See Note 2)
- Applicants living in the catchment area from Area A attending one of the listed Primary Schools
- Applicants living in the catchment area from Area A not attending one of the listed Primary Schools.
- Applicants living in the catchment area from Area B attending one of the listed Primary Schools (priority access in this category will be given to students in Area B attending Scoil Choilm C.N.S.).
- Applicants living in the catchment area from Area B not attending one of the listed Primary Schools.
- Any applicant who was unsuccessful in the first round will be considered at this stage if they indicated LCC as their second preference and they meet the above criteria 1-6
- Applicants from outside the catchment area may be considered for places when applications from all applicants in categories 1 – 7 above have been satisfied.
- Finally, places will be offered to those students on the late waiting list as per date of receipt of application form.
Note 2: Scoil Choilm C.N.S. will share a campus with L.C.C. and also shares patronage under County Dublin V.E.C. Hence pupils attending Scoil Choilm in area ‘A’ will have priority access for 2015 entrants onwards. Pupils who entered Scoil Choilm between 2007and 2010 and living outside the common catchment area will be given priority access equal to pupils in category 2 for those year groups.
If any category is oversubscribed random selection will be used to determine places
Qualifications – Selection Criteria for Castleknock Community College
- Church of Ireland students attending Castleknock Church of Ireland National School. (See Note 1)
- Siblings of existing students enrolled at Castleknock Community College. (See Note 2)
- Applicants living in the catchment area from Area B attending one of the listed Primary Schools.
- Applicants living in the catchment area from Area B not attending one of the listed Primary Schools.
- Applicants living in the catchment area from Area A attending one of the listed Primary Schools. Applicants in this category will be selected based on their proximity to the College.
- Applicants living in the catchment area from Area A not attending one of the listed Primary Schools. Applicants in this category will be selected based on their proximity to the College.
- Any applicant who was unsuccessful in the first round will be considered at this stage if they indicated their second preference to be Castleknock Community College and they meet the above criteria 1-6
- Applicants from outside the catchment area may be considered for places when applications from all applicants in categories 1 – 7 above have been satisfied.
- Finally, places will be offered to those students on the late waiting list as per date of receipt of application form.
Note 2 Sibling: An Applicant shall be deemed to be a sibling of an existing student if s/he has a sister/brother registered in the college during the period of the enrolment process, that is the period beginning the 1st May and ending on the closing date of application (30th September 2012)
If any category is oversubscribed random selection will be used to determine places.
Click HERE to download a PDF of this Policy Read more...
Presidential Election Order
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The Government has today confirmed polling details for the Presidential election this autumn – meaning intending voters have just two days to register for a postal vote.
The Presidential Election Order, which has been officially issued by environment minister Phil Hogan this morning, set polling day as Thursday 27 October with voting taking place between 7am and 10pm.
Candidates’ nominations will be accepted from now until Wednesday 28 September. Only Irish citizens aged 18 years or older on polling day, and who are ordinarily resident within the State, are entitled to vote in the presidential election.
People who are eligible to vote, but who are not currently on the register of electors, still have time to apply for entry to the supplementary register of electors, which will be published before voting day.
Applications for inclusion on the supplementary register must be received by Monday 3 October. Forms to be added to the register can be downloaded from www.checktheregister.ie or obtained from any city and county council.
People hoping to register for a postal vote have only two days after the date the polling order is issued – i.e. today – to lodge a request for registering for a postal vote.
Voters can cast their ballots by post if they are a member of the diplomatic corps posted abroad (or their spouse), a Garda, a member of the Defence Forces, have an illness or disability, are a full-time student away from home, cannot vote because of your job, or are in prison.
Voters who require a postal vote because of illness or disability should seek form PV1 from their local county or city council, while any other prospective postal voter should seek form PV2. Examples of those forms can be found at Dublin City Council’s website.
A principal officer at the Department of the Environment, Ríona Ní Fhlanghaile, has been appointed as the Returning Officer. She will receive nominations at Custom House in Dublin 1.
The issue of the Presidential Election Order means county councils and members of the Oireachtas can now set about formally nominating candidates who have already been chosen by their parties, or nominated by councils, as legitimate candidates.
So far four candidates have been assured of the support necessary to run in the election: Gay Mitchell and Michael D Higgins are to be nominated by the members of their own Fine Gael and Labour parliamentary parties respectively, while Sean Gallagher and Mary Davis will each be nominated by four or more local councils.
The government intends to hold at least two referenda alongside the election, which takes place in 58 days’ time.
Read more...
Irish Rail agrees to rename the Phoenix Park Rail Station.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Last year the Sunday Tribune highlighted my calls for Irish Rail to change the name of the Phoenix Park Station.
At the time Iarnród Éireann said that they were prepared to examine signage at Ashtown, the station closer to the park, "to indicate its proximity" and that “the majority of tourists visiting the park do so from the entrance near Heuston Station.”
I am delighted now that they have decided to change their minds on the matter.
Irish Rail are asking their customers what they think and whether they have suggestions for a new name for the station. You can let them know via twitter @irishrail or by following Irish Rail on Facebook and commenting there.
They say their policy is to name stations by reference to the geographic area the station serves, and not after individuals or groups.
Phoenix Park Station opened in January 2008 on the Maynooth-Dublin commuter line, between Castleknock and Ashtown Stations. It is served by 40 trains in each direction to and from the city. There is a 100-space park and ride facility at the station also. Read more...
Water off in Coolquay & North Road
Thursday, August 25, 2011
In order to carry out repairs to a burst on the watermain on the North Road the water has been turned off and is hoped to be turned back on by 19.30pm Areas affected: North Road, Coolquay, Thornton Hall.
Read more...
Appeal for parents to vaccinate after dramatic increase in measles in North Dublin
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
There is a large pan national outbreak of measles in Europe with more than 26,000 cases in the first six months of this year, almost twice the level of last year. More than half of the reported cases occurred in France where six deaths, 15 neurological complications and 615 cases with severe pneumonia have been reported.
International health officials are blaming it on the failure to vaccinate all children and the increased movement of infected people between countries. As there is more travel between Europe and Ireland over the summer, there is an increased risk to Irish children and teenagers who are not fully vaccinated against measles.
Parents must ensure their children have 2 doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine as it is the only protection from this potentially fatal illness. At the next meeting of the HSE I will be asking why the incidence of the disease is so high in North Dublin.
Measles is highly contagious as the virus spreads easily through the air, and in closed rooms, infected droplets can linger for up to two hours after the sick person leaves. This is why children are particularly vulnerable in homes, crèches, playgroups, camps, schools and universities.
For every 1,000 children who get measles, one or two will die. In the year 2000, a serious outbreak in Dublin saw cases rise as high as 1600, and claimed the lives of 3 young children’.
The disease's most common symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, eye inflammation and rash all over the body. It takes about two weeks for the rash to appear from the time of first infection, and people are contagious from four days before a rash to four days after. A small fraction of people get much sicker, developing pneumonia or even encephalitis.
The MMR vaccine is free with the first dose given at 12 months of age, and the second dose at 4-5 years of age. At the moment, only 90% of children in Ireland have received one dose of MMR by 24 months of age, which is below the target of 95% to prevent cases of measles and measles outbreaks. By not vaccinating your child you are putting other children at risk as well.
The HSE is writing to GPs in the North Inner City of Dublin area today, informing them of the rising numbers of cases and giving specific advice on vaccination measures, and is also arranging for special MMR vaccination clinics to be delivered in primary schools in the North Dublin area, when schools return in September.
Read more...
Donabate & Garristown water cut off
Donabate Area: In order to facilitate the “tie in” of a watermain to the new school on the Beaverstown Road on Wednesday 24th August, water will be off from the junction of Beaverstown Road to the School between the hours of 10am and 2pm. Approximately 300 houses in the Beaverstown area will be affected by this outage.
Garristown Area: To facilitate connections for the upgrade of the Garristown Reservoir it will be necessary to shut off the water in the area between 10am and 4pm on Thursday 25th August.
Areas affected: Garristown Village, Wyestown ,Adamstown, Springhill, The Glebe, Commons Upper, Commons Lower, Pluckhimin, Tobergregan, Ballymadun, Grallagh, Nutstown, Baldwinstown and surrounds.
Swords Rivervalley water cut off
Monday, August 22, 2011
It has been necessary to turn the water off in the Rivervalley area of swords including Forest Estate and Brookdale Estate in order to repair a leak on the mains. It is hoped that the water will be turned back on by 6pm.
Gay Mitchell visits Blanchardstown Centre
Monday, August 15, 2011
Read more...
Old Hansfield road project gets vital funding
Fingal County Council has received funding to pedestrianise and upgrade the old Hansfield road between Ongar, and Phibblestown.
The road was once part of the Clonsilla to Clonee road but was closed off when the Ongar road was built. A scheme (see back) to pedestrianise the old road in 2008 had to be shelved by the council due to lack of funds. Since then it has attracted a lot of dumping and anti social behaviour and was the site of a number of serious assaults in the past year.
With a new government in place I urged the council to apply for funding in the hope of getting the project underway again. I am pleased that our local TD, the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Leo Varadkar, has confirmed that the National Transport Authority has allocated €250,000 to help upgrade the road. The works must be carried out before the end of the year.
This is an important route for students attending Scoil Setanta and Scoil Grainne at Phibblestown as well as those using the new sports and community facilities there. Upgrading the road and installing adequate lighting will provide safer access for all especially in the dark winter evenings to come.
See here for more information on the original scheme
Read more...
Summary of changes to student grant as a result of the Fianna Fail/Green Party budget 2011
Three measures were announced in Budget 2011 relating to the student grant schemes:
A: Reduction in overall rates of grant
A reduction of 4% is to be applied to the rates of all student grants.
This reduction applies to all existing grant holders and to new grant holders alike.
The implementation date is January 2011.
B: Qualifying distance criterion for non-adjacent rate of grant
The qualifying distance criterion for entitlement to the higher non-adjacent rate of grant (distance from home to the higher education institution) has been changed from 15 miles (24 kilometres) to 45 kilometres.
This measure applies to all students.
The implementation date is the start of the 2011-2012 academic year.
C: Automatic entitlement of mature students to non-adjacent rate of grant.
The automatic entitlement of mature students to the higher non-adjacent rate of payment has been removed.
The implementation date is the start of the 2011-2012 academic year.
Click here for more info
Read more...
Higher Education Grants
The Scheme applies to students who are commencing approved courses for the first time in that year. To be eligible for a grant under the Scheme, a candidate must fullfill the conditions as to residence, age, academic attainments, means and nationality. Fingal County Council has no discretion in this matter.
It is the policy of Fingal County Council to fully reassess all applications each year and to reassess any student who commences a postgraduate course immediately after the completion of their undergraduate programme.
Academic Year 2011/2012
Closing Date
Fingal County Council has extended the closing date for the first time grant applications & renewals to Friday 25th November, 2011. Applications must be received in this office before close of business (4.30pm) on this day. Applications after that date will not be considered unless there is a change in circumstances. Applications that are simply late will not be accepted.
Phone Lines and Public Counter
The phone lines and Public Counter are open from 2pm to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday
The council would appreciate if you would not ring the office to check on the status of your application. Files are being assessed in the date order they were received and we will contact you as soon as we have reached your application. It is currently taking between 8 and 10 weeks from the time we receive an application to fully assess it.
As soon as your application is registered on the system a letter confirming that it was received.
Application forms and accompanying notes should be downloaded at http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7658/download-maintenance-grant-application-form/index.html. No hard copy forms will be available from Fingal County Council.
Academic Year 2011/12
Renewal of a Grant Awarded in 2011/2012: Students who wish to make an application for a renewal must download the form, which will be available from this Council's website from July. Students must submit their exam results with the application as well as documentary evidence of income. Please see the form for the list of necessary documents.
The qualifying distance criterion for entitlement to the higher non-adjacent rate of grant (distance from home to the higher education institution) will be changed from 15 miles (24 kilometres) to 28 miles (45 kilometres). This measure will take effect for all students both new and renewal from the start of the 2011/2012 academic year.
The automatic eligibility of mature students to the higher non-adjacent rate of payment, will no longer apply, effective for all students both new and renewal from the commencement of the 2011/2012 academic year. This measure will bring the arrangements for mature students into line with all other students.
Leaving Certificate Students: Forms will be available from July at www.studentfinance.ie Please make sure that you read all the guidance notes and ensure that you send in all the documents necessary. The requirement to prove residence in Ireland for three out of the last five years applies to everyone. A copy of your Junior Certificate will suffice in most cases. The closing date for receipt of fully completed application forms with all necessary documentation is the 25th November, 2011.
All other Students: Forms will be available from July at www.studentfinance.ie Please make sure that you read all the guidance notes and ensure that you send in all the documents necessary. The requirement to prove residence in Ireland for three out of the last five years applies to everyone.
Forms that are received without the correct documentation will not be assessed or registered with the Local Authority and will be returned directly to the student.
The Closing date for all applications is the 25th November. Applications are assessed in the order of the date received.
Higher Education Grants Section,
Corporate Services,
Fingal County Council,
County Hall,
Main Street,
Swords,
Co. Dublin.
E-mail: heg@fingalcoco.ie or Tel. 01-8905991
Opening Times: Monday - Friday 2pm - 4.30pm
Useful Information / Download Documents
Read more...
Water Pressure Reduction in Greater Castleknock Area
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
As part of the Blanchardstown Rehabilitation Programme there will be intermittent disruption to the water supply in the areas listed hereunder over the next few days. This work is essential to facilitate connections to the newly laid watermain on College Road. Every effort will be made to minimise disruptions both in terms of water loss and frequency.
However, if demand is high during the day some areas may experience total water loss for a period. Fingal County Council would appreciate it if the use of domestic appliances, showers and the like were kept to a minimum. Every effort will be made to minimise disruptions and full supply will be switched back on as quickly as possible.
Areas/Estates affected: Auburn,Ashleigh,Beech Park, Castleknock Road,Castleknock Green/Road/Lodge,Chesterfield,
Read more...
Fortlawn Estate Water Outage
Sunday, July 24, 2011
The Area Engineer has reported a problem in Fortlawn Estate today where youths have opened the fire hydrants in the estate causing a huge loss of water from the network. The Inpsector made efforts to close the hydrants but could not as the youths were throwing stones at him. Due to health and safety conserns for council staff, they will not be making further attempts today in this regard and it is therefore necessary to turn off the water supply to the whole estate until tomorrow morning.
Read more...
David Norris presidential nomination in danger as Fingal councillors call in rival candidates
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Senator David Norris’s hopes of a presidential nomination may have taken a dent when the only council to have nominated him now say they want to hear from the other prospective candidates.
Fingal County Council voted to nominate Senator Norris last May. However, for this to be official, another vote must be taken when the presidential election order is signed, probably in September.
At their July meeting Fingal councillors agreed to requests from Mary Davis and Gary Smiley to address them as. The Mayor Gerry Maguire is to consider convening a special meeting in September so that other prospective candidates can be invited to make their pitch.
Somewhat surprisingly there were no objections from those who had supported Senator Norris. In the interests of democracy I think all prospective candidates should be invited to address the councillors before a final decison is made.
Senator Norris was nominated in May before his reminisances of the golden days of ancient Greece came back to haunt him. There is no guarantee that those who supported him before will do so again in September bearing in mind that the larger parties will have their campaigns well underway by then. Only 14 of the 24 councillors voted for Senator Norris in May and some of those may have lost their enthusiasm for him by now. Others may of course change their minds when they hear from the rest of the candidates.
Please see discussion at begining of Council meeting here
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Vital piece in local transport jigsaw gets go-ahead
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
N2-N3 link road gets the go ahead. Work will start shortly on the new N2-N3 link road between Tyrrelstown and the Cherryhound interchange on the Ashbourne Road.
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar announced the allocation of €6 million in funding for the project this week.
This funding represents a major breakthrough as the road has been planned for years, but was never progressed due to a lack of finance. The funding is being diverted from another road project which has stalled. The landowners have already transferred the lands to the council free of charge.
The new road will relieve traffic on the N3 and provide better access to our business parks and open up new industrial lands in North Blanchardstown for job creation. The total cost of the project is €24 million but some €15 million will be recovered from levies imposed on land owners and developers.
One Five West, beside the Park Plaza Hotel at Tyrrelstown. Planning permission for this was dependent on the new N2/N3 link road. The planners recently rejected the proposed Snowtopia leisure project at the same location citing the lack of road infrastructure as one of the reasons.
The new road will eventually form part of an outer ring route from the Naas road to the M1 north of the airport. I have campaigned for funding for this project since the local elections in 2009 and raised it at council meetings so I’m delighted that Minister Varadkar has provided funding for it.
Council agree to name change for new estate.
Fingal County Council has agreed to my request to change the name of a new housing development in Mulhuddart. This follows appeals from Tyrrelstown residents and residents association who feel that having another estate 2km away with the same name will cause confusion.
The NABCo social housing development in Mulhuddart, is due to be occupied in September. In October 2008 the council’s naming committee recommended the two sections there be called “Tyrrelstown Park” and "Tyrrelstown Court".
The council agreed to convene a special meeting of the naming committee on Wednesday and voted in favour of a name change with only the two Socialist Party councillors objecting. After considering a number of other names councillors voted in favour of Avondale Park and Avondale Court for the new estate.
This is a victory for common sense and I am sure the new residents of Avondale Park will be pleased with the name. I have already had reports of people driving around Tyrrelstown looking to view the apartments in Tyrrelstown Park. This confusion will be compounded when the new park is developed in Tyrrelstown which locals intend to call Tyrrelstown Park.
I sought a suspension of standing orders to address the issue at the July council meeting. Unfortunately I received very little support from my colleagues and indeed there was outright hostility from quite a few. I was accused of being a ‘total reactionary’ and that I was only raising the issue because ‘I didn’t want council tenants having the name of Tyrrelstown’.
This is not a class issue. The NABCo estate will of course have social and affordable housing but there are social houses and council tenants in Tyrrelstown as well. My reason for seeking a change is to avoid the confusion that will arise from two estates with similar names located so far apart. Having failed at the council meeting I then asked the Planning Department to convene a special meeting of the naming committee. I am delighted with the outcome and so are the residents of Tyrrelstown.
You can view the July Council proceedings here (the item is at 2.44hrs). There was no time left to take the item at the end of the meeting.
€6M transport breakthrough as Minister Varadkar announces crucial N2-N3 link road
Work will start shortly on the final stage of the N2-N3 link road between Tyrrelstown and the Cherryhound interchange.
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Water outage at Swords and Castleknock
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The follow is an update on the water outage in part of Swords and also an outage at Casteknock.
Swords Area: Ridgewood & Boroimhe Water supply to both these areas went off unintentionally last night. Water pressure in the network is building slowly, as a result it will be later this evening before water is restored to Ridgewood and Boroimhe Estates. A static tanker has been put into Ridgewood Estate (beside Tesco) and in Boroimhe Estate (at the Shopping Centre) in order to facilitate consumers who are without water. When the supply is returned it may still be reduced or intermittent over the remainder of the evening and for a time tomorrow. Accordingly it is important to conserve water as much as possible during this time.
Castleknock Area: Due to a fault with the pumps in this area there is water loss to Castleknock Lodge, College Road, Georgian Village, Oak Lodge. Water should be restored in the next two hours.
Blanchardstown West Educate Together Opening September 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
The new Blanchardstown West Educate Together National School is opening its doors for the first time on September 1st 2011. The school is located on a temporary site beside Mary Mother of Hope NS in Littlepace, Dublin 15 and will eventually locate to Hansfield near Ongar.
For all the latest information on the school, or if you are interested in enrolling your child, the school’s website can be found here. Read more...
BLANCHARDSTOWN VILLAGE TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES & TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS
In order to facilitate essential works on the replacement of watermains at Blanchardstown Village it is proposed to introduce the following temporary road closures and lane restrictions from Monday 8th August to Monday 29th August, 2011.
Castleknock Road – to be closed from Roselawn Road for traffic travelling towards Main Street, Blanchardstown except for residents of this part of Castleknock Road including Woodpark.
Main Street, Blanchardstown – to be closed to all traffic approaching the Village at the Castleknock Road junction for the period 8th August, 2011 to 15th August, 2011. Thereafter for the period to 29th August, 2011 two-way traffic will be maintained along the part of Main Street between the Castleknock Road junction and the River Road junction. In addition during this period the westbound traffic lane between the Castleknock Road junction and the River Road junction to be closed to traffic.
The alternative routes available are:-
(i) N3/Blanchardstown By-Pass to Snugborough Bridge, Old Navan Road and Main Street, Blanchardstown (Part Of)
(ii) Castleknock Road, Roselawn Road, Clonsilla Road and Main Street, Blanchardstown (Part Of).
Local access will be maintained.
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Malahide Water Supply Restrictions
Monday, May 30, 2011
Due to high demand, the water level in Malahide Reservoir is very low. Consequently it is necessary that the following measures be taken tonight to assist the recovery of the Reservoir.
Grand Hotel to Robswall along the Coast Road:
Water supply to this area will be turned off at 8pm tonight and will be back on at 7.30am tomorrow morning.
Estates that will be affected include: The Golf Links, The Moorings, Island View, Muldowney Court, Lambay Court, Biscayne, Robswall and Seapark. Some other Estates bordering this area may also be affected.
Malahide Village & Surrounds:
Water supply to this area will be throttled from 8pm to 8am. This will result in low pressure and possible loss of water especially in higher areas.
Naul Area & vicinities around Nags Head Crossroads: Due to low level water supply at Hollywood Reservoir water will be switched off from 9pm tonight until 7am tomorrow morning. When water is turned back on tomorrow morning, high level areas will take longer for water to be restored as it takes time for pressure to build back up in the Network.
Areas affected: Naul Village, Hynestown, Curragh West, Malahow, Damastown, Fanning’s Wall, Spring Hill, Rath Great & Rath Little, Kitchenstown, Lecklinstown, Hollywood Little, Gerardstown, Clonswords and Westown.
Consumers are asked not to stockpile water (i.e. filling of baths, large containers, etc.) during this period as to do so, prevents the recovery of the Reservoirs.
Please Note the following message has been posted on the website and Aertel
General Fingal Area: The weather forecast for the upcoming Bank Holiday Weekend is promised very good. Consequently there may be a higher than usual demand for water. Consumers are reminded that drinking water (i.e. treated water) is a finite resource and are asked to adopt the good neighbour approach and conserve water as much as possible.
Temporary Closure of Coolmine Road
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Fingal County Council has made an order temporarily closing Coolmine Road at Coolmine Level Crossing on the dates and times indicated below to facilitate the carrying out of essential maintenance works at the level crossing.
Temporary Closure of Coolmine Road (i) From 8.00 p.m. on Saturday 30th April 2011 to 9.00 a.m. on Sunday 1st May 2011.
(ii) From 8.00 p.m. on Saturday 7th May 2011 to 9.00 a.m. on Sunday 8th May 2011.
(iii) From 8.00 p.m. on Saturday 14th May 2011 to 9.00 a.m. on Sunday 15th May 2011.
(iv) From 8.00 p.m. on Saturday 21st May 2011 to 9.00 a.m. on Sunday 22nd May 2011.
(v) From 8.00 p.m. on Saturday 25th June 2011 to 9.00 a.m. on Sunday 26th June 2011.
The alternative routes available are:-
(i) via Clonsilla Road; Main Street, Blanchardstown; Castleknock Road; Laurel Lodge Road; Carpenterstown Park East and Carpenterstown Road.
(ii) via Clonsilla Road; Diswellstown Road and Carpenterstown Road.
Local access will be maintained.
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Temporary closing of Rugged Lane
Fingal County Council has made an order temporarily closing Rugged Lane from its junction with Luttrellstown Road to its junction with the Lower Lucan Road from 8.30 a.m. on Friday 29th April 2011 to 5.00 p.m. on Tuesday 3rd May 2011 to facilitate the carrying out of works by Eircom at this location.
The alternative route available is via Luttrellstown Road, Somerton Lane and Lower Lucan Road.
Local access will be maintained.
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Update on the closure of the old Hansfield Road
Saturday, March 26, 2011
As part of the development of the Ongar and Phibblestown housing lands the Council has been working closely with local Developers to secure the provision and development of a new public park to cater for both active and passive recreation. The newly pedestrianised Old Hansfield Road serves is a vital part of this new Park. It provides connectivity and permeability between both sides of the Park and for pedestrian and cyclist movement in the area including access to public transport and schools.
Maximizing the permeability of the Park through the pedestrianisation of the Old Hansfield Road will be key to the success of the Park in the longer term.
The Council at present is not in a position to implement many of the elements outlined above. However we will continue to identify possible sources of funding to enable the scheme to be brought to fruition. It should also be noted that the Council is continuing to work with the developers involved both in Ongar and Latchford to improve the visibility and passive supervision along the pathways and intersections. In the meantime the area will be kept as clean as possible subject to available resources.
The proposed scheme provides for:
1. Closure of the Hansfield Road to vehicular traffic, from its junction with the access road to Latchford, Ravenswood and Manorfields Estates (Phibblestown Road) to the roundabout at its junction with the Ongar Road. The works include for the closure to vehicular traffic of the access from Ongar Village to Hansfield Road.
2. Development of the Hansfield Road as a pedestrian and cyclist route consisting of a 2 metre wide footpath and 3 metre wide 2-way cycletrack.
3. Provision of pedestrian accesses to the parkland at Latchford and Ongar Park, Ongar Village, Phibblestown Wood, Phibblestown House and Phibblestown School.
4. Provision of 3 No. gated entrance features at both ends of the scheme and at the beginning of the parkland.
5. Construction of Car Park (50 Spaces) on the Latchford open space inclusive of new access road with traffic calming ramp to cater for both passive and active users of the open space lands and playing pitches to be provided in this area.
6. Construction of footpath and cycletrack on the western side of access distributor road from proposed pedestrian entrance to Hansfield Road to the area of the junction of the distributor road and Annaly Terrace.
7. Provision of Pedestrian Signals on access distributor road to Ravenswood / Manorfields adjacent to junction of distributor road and Hansfield Road.
8. Provision of surface water drainage for the scheme. Existing ditches along the Hansfield Road to be piped and filled.
9. Provision of ducting for new public lighting and appropriate lamp standards.
10. Provision of signage and lining.
In Adopting and Approving the scheme the County Council Approved the carrying out of the following additional works:
• Provision of approximately 200m of railing from the end of the boundary wall of the new crèche on Hansfield Road running westwards to meet the existing wall at the proposed entrance gate at the north-western end of Hansfield Road.
• Pest control prior to commencement of construction work.
• Provision of litterbins and appropriate signage along Hansfield Road.
• Provision of spare ducting in the filled ditches along Hansfield Road.
• Provision of approximately 18m of footpath along Annaly Terrace from proposed new footpath at the entrance to Annaly Terrace to tie-in to footpaths in the estate.
• Provision of approximately 190m of railing from the proposed gated entrance at the southeastern end of Hansfield Road to the entrance to Annaly Terrace.
• Provision of knee rail along the outside of the triangular green area to the south of Hansfield Road at the southeastern end.
• Modification of the car park in the Latchford open space to accommodate the football pitch and it’s associated drainage.
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Fine Gael plan for Ireland
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The aim of Fine Gael’s jobs policy can be boiled down to three things:
• Getting people back to work;
• Making Ireland a better place to do business;
• And getting more Irish business to look beyond our borders and to sell on a global scale.Getting people back to work:
• Unlike other parties we will not increase direct taxes on jobs and enterprise to promote job creation and investment.
• Youth unemployment is a feature of this recession. To stop our young talent leaving Ireland we are proposing over 45,000 placements in a range of new training, job placement and educational opportunities:
o National Internship Programme: 23,000 placements in the public and public sector for unemployed graduates;
o 17,000 additional second chance education places for those who left school early driven into an unsustainable construction boom and who are now unemployed;
o And a temporary increase in the number of community unemployment places to provide real on the job experience in our communities.
• We will halve the jobs tax on the lowest paid. Fianna Fail made the indefensible decision to slash the minimum wage. Instead Fine Gael will cut in half employers PRSI on the lowest paid to protect their jobs and to encourage new jobs.
Making Ireland a better place to do business
• We will reduce the cost of Government-imposed red tape on business by €500 million, in part by streamlining business inspections under a Business Inspection and Licensing Authority and a single Food Inspectorate.
• We will tackle high costs from sheltered sectors of the economy – such as transport, medical, waste and legal services.
• Out of date pay structures in certain sectors will be reviewed and all existing employment law will be consolidated into a Single Employment Act.
• We will support new business start-ups by simplifying tax registration, providing continued social welfare cover for three years and exempting some regulatory requirements designed for bigger companies.
• We will examine the feasibility of a single business tax for micro businesses (turnover less than €75k per annum) to replace all existing taxes.
• We will offer tax credits to multinational companies that provide the funding and mentoring needed by emerging Irish-owned companies to enter international markets.
Increasing Irish Exports
• A new ‘Home to Export’ programme will be established to share the expertise of exporting companies with firms currently reliant on declining domestic markets. A ‘Source Ireland’ portal will be developed to market Irish goods and services abroad.
• Service companies that export more than 90% of their output will be allowed become VAT exempt, improving their cash-flows and cutting down on red tape.
• We will publish a new Asia Strategy with the aim of trebling trade between Ireland and Asia during this period 2011-2025.
• We will develop Ireland as a ‘digital island’ and first-mover when it comes to information technology and cloud computing.
• We will put in place specific strategies to support high-potential growth sectors, such as international education, digital gaming, financial services and tourism.
Prior to the Government’s Budget 2011 the Party’s position on spending cuts vs tax increases was 3 to 1: €3 of spending cuts for every €1 of tax rises. Taking account of the government’s measures in Budget 2011, Fine Gael’s position on spending cuts vas tax increases is now 72% to 28%. Fine Gael remains committed to achieving the 3% deficit target by 2014.
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Noonan Announces Plan for ‘Jobs Creation Bill’ in 1st 100 Days if FG Elected to Govt
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
At the launch of the YFG Youth Manifesto, ‘Let’s Get Young Ireland Working’, Fine Gael’s Finance Spokesman, Michael Noonan announced details of his Party’s plans to hold a ‘Jobs Creation Bill’ within 100 days if elected to office on the 25th of February.
“If we get elected to Government on February 25th, we want to start implementing the jobs plan element of our 5 Point Plan straight away.
“The primary focus of the ‘Jobs Creation Bill’ will be to stimulate growth, protect jobs and create new sustainable jobs in the economy. We would plan that the ‘Jobs Creation Bill’ (JCB) will have passed all stages by July 1st.
“The main components (see Appendix 1 for more detail and costings) of the JCB will include;
• A cut in the 13.5% rate of VAT to 12%;
• Halving the lower 8.5% rate of PRSI;
• Exempting from VAT service companies that export more than 90% of their output. At present this just applies to manufacturing companies.
• Abolition of the Travel Tax;
• Re-allocation of the remaining National Pension Reserve;
• 5,000 National Graduate Internship Places.
“These make up the first stage of the policies needed to support recovery in the jobs market. The ESRI projects that, with the right policies, the Irish economy has the capacity to add 100,000 additional jobs by 2015. Fine Gael’s 5 Point Plan is the only coherent strategy to deliver on this potential.
“The total cost of these initial measures will be €338 million in 2011. In order to finance these additional job-creation measures while respecting the deficit targets agreed with the EU and IMF, we will bring forward the 0.5% levy on pension funds agreed with the pensions industry as a fairer alternative to the halving of income tax relief on new pension contributions being proposed by Fianna Fáil.
“With these measures, implemented within 100 days if elected to office, Fine Gael can provide real hope to a younger generation who have seen their plans and aspirations devastated by a collapsing economy. Fine Gael has the plan and the people to start creating a new hope for a new generation of Irish workers. If we receive the support of the public on the 25th of February our policies and plans will start impacting on the problem by the start of July.”
Appendix 1 – Fine Gael Measures for Inclusion in Jobs Creation Bill
A cut in the 13.5% rate of VAT to 12%
Alongside the rise in the standard 21% rate of VAT proposed by this Government, we will cut the 13.5% rate of VAT on labour-intensive services (construction, home extensions, hotels, restaurants, hairdressing, newspapers etc.) by at least 1.5% until 2014, bringing it down to 12%. This will boost the competitiveness of our tourism sector and help divert domestic consumer spending from import-intensive goods into labour-intensive domestic services. Cost: €196 million.
Halving the lower 8.5% rate of PRSI
We will halve employers’ PRSI for all new and existing jobs paying up to €356 per week from employers’ PRSI until 2014. This makes more sense than the PRSI holidays limited to staff hired after six months on the dole, which is of no benefit in protecting existing jobs and indeed can lead to displacement of existing employees: Cost €100 million.
VAT Exemption for Service Exporters
We will extend the 13A VAT regime from exporters of goods to exporters of services from Ireland, such as insurance, financial services, IT and consulting, health services and travel and transport services. This means that service companies that export more than 90% of their output will become VAT exempt, improving their cash-flows and cutting down on red tape. With the right policy environment, service exporters could play a major role in lifting Ireland out of recession. Cost: €10 million.
Abolition of the Travel Tax
To support our business and tourism sectors, we will complete the abolition of the job-destroying travel tax if we can secure a deal with the airlines to restore cancelled routes. Cheaper and more extensive international access in and out of Ireland will be vital for export-led recovery. Cost: €27 million.
5,000 National Graduate Internship Places
This will offer part-time one-year placements in the public service, private sector and voluntary sector for unemployed graduates to gain valuable experience while studying for a masters or diploma. Among the positions available will be classroom and teaching assistants in schools and nursing assistants in hospitals. Cost: €5 million net of social welfare savings.
Re-allocation of the remaining National Pension Reserve
The Finance Act will also amend the National Pension Reserve Act to transfer control of the remaining reserves to a New Economy Recovery Authority (NewERA), as a first step in the process of restructuring and recapitalising streamlined semi-state utilities to bring forward an extra €7 billion in investments in water, energy and telecommunications. Initial investments by the NPRF will, when market conditions are right, be supplemented by the proceeds of the sale of non-strategic state assets, such as ESB International, Power Generation and Customer Supply (but not ESB Networks) and Bord Gais Supply (but not the pipelines).
Additional Spending on Home Insulation and other Energy Saving Measures
We will double resources for certain home insulation and other residential and commercial energy saving schemes in the second half of 2011. We will bring forward demand for these schemes by announcing their closure to new applications in 2014. Cost: €26 million
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