Merry Christmas

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas. I won't be posting cards this year; instead, I am putting up this ecard and making a donation to a charity.


John

Traffic Speed Survey on St Margaret's Road

I have been working with Fingal County Council in recent weeks and months about problems of speeding on St Margaret's Road (R104) which borders the estates of Hampton Wood, Lanesborough, Cityside, Mayeston and Creston. 

Residents from these areas have contacted me about the speed of traffic on the R104 (St Margaret's Road) on several occasions. 

A particular concern, and under Fingal Co Co's remit, is the stretch from Charlestown Shopping Centre to IKEA. I know there have been several crashes on this stretch of road, and this is a particular concern for residents coming on and off the road from estates and pedestrians crossing the road for bus services.

At the end of November I was informed that the Council would carry out a speed survey on the St Margaret's Road and I am glad that this will now be carried out by the Traffic Unit over several days between now and then end of the year.

Once this survey has been completed I will be keeping in contact with Fingal County Council to submit recommendations to improve the safety of the road for all local residents.

If you have any concerns about traffic measures or speeding in your area please give me a call on 01 618 3280 or send me an email to john.lyons@oir.ie

Community Grants Scheme 2012

The deadline for the Community Grants Scheme for 2012 is 30th January 2012 at 5pm.

This is to support the important work done by local community groups through a grant scheme. You can apply for grants for a broad range of activities. The amount you get depends on the number of people involved and other factors.

Among the things typically supported are:

• Summer Projects
• Community Festivals
• Resident & Community Associations
• Environmental clean-ups
• Sporting occasions

The application form will be online shortly on http://www.dublincity.ie/Community/pages/applyforacommunitygrant.aspx

ALL APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE RETURNED TO:

The Office of the Director of Community and Enterprise

Block 4, Floor 1e

Civic Offices, Wood Quay.

Dublin 8

Keep Your Presents Under Wraps this Christmas

The Finglas Safety Forum has kindly put together some helpful tips to help avoid any unfortunate instances over the festive season:

• Try not to ‘hide’ or store larger items in the shed or garage – these are obvious places for a thief to look. If you do have to do this, make sure they are very secure.
• Ensure you make a note of serial numbers, reference numbers and/or identification marks before expensive gifts are wrapped for Christmas.
• Empty boxes and packaging left outside will advertise the fact that these goods are available inside! Dispose of packaging carefully.
• When out of the house make sure all your doors and windows are locked. After dark, make it look as though someone is at home by leaving lights on or a radio playing. If you’re going to be out for a longer period, say over night, use timing switches on lights around the house. If away over the holiday, make sure that you arrange for a neighbour to check your property.
• If you see anything suspicious, contact Finglas Garda Station immediately on 01-6667500 or alternatively 999. You may prevent a crime from happening.

For further information on Finglas Safety Forum, please visit www.finglassafetyforum.ie

Meakstown Update

Open publication - Free publishing

Christmas Market and Tree Lighting Ceremonies

The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies are taking place TODAY in Ballymun Plaza at 4pm and in Finglas Village SC car park at 6pm.

There will be a mini Christmas Market in Finglas Village SC from 2pm to 5.30pm selling Christmas gifts. There will also be carol singing and Santa will also be in attendance! I am delighted that Dublin City Council have acted on my recommendations to have a Christmas market in Finglas. It is an excellent addition to the village and I hope this is something that can be expanded on and grow by next year.

The Ballymun ceremony will coincide with the arrival of Santa on his sleigh and entertainment will be provided the Trinity Comprehensive choir, Poppintree Youth Project and BRYR.

Unfortunately I am unable to attend due to Dáil business, but I encourage all those who are free to attend.

Great festive cheer for all the family!

330,000 low earners rightly taken out of USC net

Today's announcement that approximately 330,000 low income earners will be taken out of the Universal Social Charge net, coupled with the reintroduction of the minimum wage, are evidence that since the election, Labour has acted decisively to help low income earners.

The exemption level for the USC has been raised from €4,004 to €10,036, to help low income earners, many of whom are part-time and seasonal workers. I have outlined the inherent unfairness in the USC before, and I am very pleased that those on the lowest incomes have now been taken out the USC net.

I also welcome the announcement of the raising of mortgage interest relief to 30%, for first time buyers who bought homes between 2004 and 2008.This move will help those who bought at the height of the boom, many of whom are experiencing negative equity and difficulties with their mortgages. Many of these people have contacted me about their circumstances since being elected and today's announcement will be welcomed by them.

Another move I welcome is the extension of the betting levy to online and phone operators, to bring in an estimated €20 million annually. This has been Labour policy for a number of years and as well as bringing in additional income, it should mean that the Horse and Greyhound Fund will be self-financing, which was the intention when the fund was first introduced.

These measures and others relating to extra training and job supports announced in the budget, signal Labour's intention to support the unemployed and low income earners, as we restore our public finances and rebuild our economy.

Labour ensures difficult expenditure decisions are fair and balanced

I have stated that even accounting for the current financial challenges facing the country, Labour has ensured that fairness and balance are evident in today's Budget statement on expenditure.

In Social Protection, weekly payment rates have been maintained, there are no changes in state pension rates and payments to carers have been preserved. These people are the most vulnerable in our society and we have protected their payments.

In education, funding has been prioritised and targeted to areas of educational disadvantage to address imbalances within the system. The pupil teacher ratio for primary schools has been maintained and there are no cuts in the numbers of Special Needs Assistants and Resource Teachers. At second level, DEIS band 1 schools have been completely protected and given a more favourable staffing allocation. Labour has shown that educational disadvantage can still be tackled even at a time of reduced funding and increased pressures on the system.

These core areas of interest for the Labour party have been prioritised and protected, even while very difficult decisions have been made elsewhere.

Minister Howlin made a telling point today that the calls for simplistic solutions to our challenges are wearing thin. We entered Government with the objectives of getting people back to work and restoring our financial sovereignty. This is what we are doing and suggestions that this can be done without unpalatable measures being taken are misleading and disingenuous.

I recently called for budgetary decision making to be done on the basis of equality, to ensure those who are most vulnerable are least impacted. This request has been heeded as this budget statement on expenditure, although tough, has protected those on the lowest incomes, prioritised education funding to disadvantaged areas and outlined new measures to help the unemployed.

This is what Labour entered Government to do and we will continue to ensure that fairness and balance are at the heart of Government decision making.

Dublin City Council Arts Office Seeks Interns

Dublin City Council Arts Office is currently seeking interns for 2012. The internships are designed to extend interns' knowledge and understanding of how a Local Authority Arts Office works. Duties may include assisting in programming, PR & marketing updating databases, updating websites, archiving, and general administrative support for the arts office programmes which include:

• The Dublin Writers Festival (June)
• Bealtaine Festival (May) and arts programme for older people
• The Northside Music Festival (August)
• Opera in the Open series (August)
• Neighbourhood Arts Programmes
• Arts in Education Programmes 

To apply, simply send a CV including at least two referees and cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position, what areas you are specifically interested in.

Send Applications to:

Ann Marie Lyons

The Arts Office

Dublin City Council

The LAB

Foley Street

Dublin 1

Applications will be short-listed and short listed applicants will be interviewed Deadline for applications: Wednesday 14^th December 2011

Enquires should be directed to: annmarie.lyons@dublincity.ie         

Meakstown Community Games 2012

I am very pleased to report that Meakstown is now registered for the Community Games in 2012. 

I recently met with a local resident, Neil Dowling, who is a youth worker, to discuss how to promote sports and leisure activities for young people in the relatively new communities close to Lanesborough Park. 

The idea is to get young people in Lanesborough, Charlestown, Melville, Cityside, Mayeston, Creston and surrounding areas - along with their families  - to be more involved in sports and community activities. 

Neil has registered Meakstown for next year’s Community Games and is hoping to enter a number of competitions for local young people. 

Community spirit at the recent Lanesborough Park Clean-Up Day

Background

The Community Games provide sporting and leisure opportunities for children and young people in a fun and positive way. This excellent initiative from Neil will add to the choice of sports for young people in the area and get them involved next year before more events next summer. 

Call for Volunteers!

The success of this will be down to the numbers of adult volunteers who get involved. I have already secured the support of Fingal County Council, Community Gardaí and local sporting organisations and will be having a provisional meeting in the new year.

We still very much need the help from local residents! Volunteers can have a history of involvement with sports or none at all.

If you would like to help with organisation of events, please contact Neil at meakstowncg@gmail.com 

Alternatively, you can contact me at 01 618 3280 or john.lyons@oir.ie and I can give you more information and pass your details on to the planning committee.