It is that following our entry into the Euro, Ireland was constrained by interest rates so low that they were not in Ireland’s national interest.  This is given as a key reason for the expansion of Ireland’s property bubble.  This rationale presents the issue of our property bubble as if it was out of government control.

It is true that EU interest rates set by the European Central Bank are outside Ireland’s control and Ireland is not in a position to devalue its currency.  However the reasons for the property bubble were a lot more than low interest rates.

In 2002, it was reckoned that a property bubble was developing in the UK and prices were rising to exceptionally high levels.  Thre were 150,000 house completions that year in the UK.  In Ireland, there were 75,0000 house completions and by 2006, there were 90,000 completions.  Ireland’s population is just over four million and the UK has just short of 60 million.  For a country of less than 10% of their population, we were producing half the number of houses.

Were interest rates the main reason for this bubble or was there something else about the way business is done in Ireland that might help with an explanation.   As with cars, there was a certain amount of catch up going on in the 1990s in Ireland with regard to housing.  There were too few houses for our growing population and with returning emigrants and the beginning of immigration as well as a population that was changing in terms of family size with a huge increase in single person households.

There was a basis to significant growth in housebuilding in the 1990s but by 2002 it had gone beyond unsustainable and something needed be done.  Remember that in the 1980s, there were an average of 15,000 house completion.  Attention needed to be paid to other areas where the skills of construction workers were needed so as to take some heat out of the market.  At the time, there was an argument that an increased supply of housing would help reduce the prices.

On the one hand the market was responding to increased demand for housing, while at the same time prices were increasing by 10% and 20% and even 30% each year.  Housing need could have been met at affordable prices, but this was not to happen.  We could have been spared a bubble and the reality of hundreds of thousands of vacant properties.

It was also in 2002, when the government caved into pressure from the developer lobby in regard to the Planning Act 2000.  Instead of allocating 20% of completions for social and affordable housing, developers were successful in amending that stipulation to a negotiable level which could also be in the form of a development levy.  With this amendment, construction of housing increased even more and almost all housing was for sale on the private market.

The prospect of more development levies for councils and no social housing was more impetus for price increase and housing construction increase.  It was vital to actually take heat out of the market at the time, as house prices were now ten times the average wage.

The government made a disastrous mistake in regard to their cave in to the developers lobby.  What was needed for development to meet the needs of communities.  What happened was housing construction in its hundreds and thousands without consideration for other services.

Councils did not liaise with state agencies to plan for increase populations so that for example in Balbriggan just as the population reached 19,000 and unemployment started to increase significantly, they failed to respond when the local social welfare office closed down.  A crisis in lack of school places led to the opening of an all black school.

The reason why developers built houses instead of schools, hospitals and community centres is that there was a concrete incentive to do so.  Regarding the allocation of schools in a given area, there is all kinds of book passing between patron bodies, local authorities and the Department of Education.  Build ten houses on an investment of €2m and the developer can sell at €3million was the kind of forecast a developer could make in regard to housing.   They could not do that in regards to provision of other kinds of building and hence the prevalence of unbalanced and unsustainable development.

Book passing aside, it is the responsibility of the public service to provide public service.  If they had of been active with a plan in each given area and not been the pawns of clientalist politicians there would be a more even spread of resources around the country.  As well as banks and developers, the public sector did have a role in overseeing an unsustainable bubble.

There must be a provision for dismissal of public servants and pay should be related to performance while appointments should be accessible to the public for application as opposed to promotions on the basis of seniority.  Leadership of the civil and public service must come from the top and this means significant pay cuts capping top pay level pay at €125,000.

This kind of level of pay where the tops in the service earn no more than three or four times the bottom, would bring a fresh realism to addressing the issues facing this country.  The argument that if pay for top executives was brought down to such levels, then the best at the top would leave.  Let them leave as there will always be replacements.  As appointed civil and public services they are appointed so the imagination and the brilliance ought to be coming from our politicians and how we get that is another task altogether.

It is worth comparing the period we live in now to the early 20th century.  There is a strong argument that with the collapse of the communist regimes, it is only now that we are continuing on the path prepared for globalisation at the end of the 19th century.  Only now, we can see capitalism at work without boundaries.

Our government is implementing a programme of austerity that is widening the gap between rich and poor, under the veil of addressing the deficit which has been created by the rich.   We are possibly a couple of weeks away from the atm machines freezing up.  What is to be done?

ICTU are holding a march this weekend in response to the programme of austerity.  In one webchat, a poster bemoans the march and says he is not going to the march because it is not going to the Dail.  Another says it doesn’t matter where they march, so long as they march. Another poster says it is hypocritical to march with the unions because the union leaders who have big expensive jobs with big expensive salaries.

The British are dealing with consequences of their crisis in part by hiking up the cost of university tuition near to US costs for third level education.   Labour criticise this policy when they were the party who very unexpectantly introduced tuition fees and then oversaw their increase up to a capped fee of $3,000.  I recall being involved in the very first protests against the introduction of fees.   Those of us who protested warned that the fees of 1997 would open the door to massively increase fees which would be modelled on the experience of Austrailia.

In Ireland, the Green Party have just nodded through increase in the student registration fee from €1500 to €2,000.  Unbelievably they claim this does not represent the return of fees.  As one student union leader said if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is a duck.

The argument in favour of tuition fees goes along these lines.  Those who benefit from university education tend to earn more than others so they should pay.  Those who train as plumbers, brick layers, carpenters all earn far higher than the average wage yet they did apprenticeships subsidised.  These are difficult days for Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, says the report.  Protests are getting violent and some students are emoting that a small number are ruining it for the rest.

This crisis is getting ugly.  The time for orchestration and grand old Duke of York, marching to the top of the hill and back down type of protests are over.  This Saturday ought to see tens of thousands on the streets of Dublin for the ICTU march.  However it is highly likely that some will try their own type of protest.  The ICTU march script is after assembly on Wood Quay, there will be a short stroll. However there are political groups with ambitions.  An audience that does not want to listen to the beards and some who want to try another form of protest.

Speaking of that other type of protest, there is a Community ‘Spectacle of Defiance’ on December 10^th.  Meanwhile the Socialist Party and the Socialist Workers are finally getting together to launch the United Left.  Of course Labour are expected to win a landslide of seats in an easy vote catch which does not require them to outline policies in detail.

The same is said about the Socialist Party.  However I suspected that if elected the Socialist Party in government would be similar to that within Liverpool City Council in the 1980s.  As one civil service mandarin quaked ‘other politicians made pledges in opposition only to change their minds in government, but they carried on regardless’.

Yet something is changing in Ireland and Britain over the last few weeks and months.  In Britain protest politics is back although it has been written off since the defeat of the Miners in 1985.  The collapse in living conditions in Ireland which follows years of social partnership and the same modern apathetic political culture as in Britain, the game has changed and new forces will be on the agenda.  There will be creativity at play as ordinary people try and take centre stage.  This is evident in that the people who will be on the ICTU protest but have contempt for ICTU leaders.  As one poster says of union leaders, they are bought and paid for by Fianna Fail.

The protest on Saturday is going to be huge.  The interesting element is that there is widespread understanding that there is going to be violence and people are still coming. They don’t care about that because they are so angry.

In Ireland, Fine Gael and Labour are not a new alternative.  They have been there for years and people have not been attracted by them.  They will be elected as they are the established opposition and people are so angry with Fianna Fail.  As for the Greens, they have been a new movement but in 2007 they tied themselves to the fate of Fianna Fail.

The United Left offers an interesting prospect.  I was active in the Socialist Party from 1991-2009 throughout 18 years of the doldrums.  It was great to be in a party that stood unequivocally with the underdog but as the analysis is being born out the prospect of social upheaval is daunting.   A lot is going to happen over the next weeks, months and year.  It is hard to portray Ireland politically this time next year. It will all come out in the wash and when I put my clothes in the washing machine, I don’t like to get into the wash.  So, what is to be done?

As the IMF closes in on Ireland, the government and opposition have surrendered economic sovereignty almost but not quite.  One non-negotiable in terms of economic policy they have asserted is the 12.5% corporate tax rate.   Ireland’s corporate tax rate is the equivalent to the hookers tricks and it is on display as if there nothing else of worth on offer in Ireland.

Otherwise the message is ‘the country will take the cuts for the greater good of getting the economy back on track’.  The 12.5% corporate tax rate is presented as a crucial part of Ireland’s stall that will lead to success again.

There are other reasons why Ireland is an attractive country for doing business.  We still have a young educated population that is eager to get back to work and make a contribution and there is also our diverse population.  How we get out of the mire, requires radical thinking.

When asked why Google located its European headquarters in Ireland, head of Google Ireland John Herlihy said ‘because Ireland provided access to a multi-lingual and multi-cultural workforce’. 75% of Google Ireland’s workforce come from outside Ireland and they do business from their Dublin offices with all corners of the globe.  In other words, there are assets we have other than a 12.5% tax rate that makes Ireland attractive.

Facebook, Ebay, Paypal are some of the other companies who have chosen to locate in Ireland on the same basis as Google.  The nature of these companies demands that they work across nations, cultures and ethnic boundaries.  Ireland’s 400,000 immigrants have come in significant numbers from both within and outside the EU.

In the context of the current recession, if Ireland’s immigrants feature in the national discourse at all, they are dismissed as though they have all gone home and are not relevant anymore.  Yet it is Ireland’s diversity that marks us out as a unique attraction for international investment

David Mc Williams has rightly attracted a lot of kudos for both his economic analysis over the last number of years but in particular for the conference of the Irish diaspora at Farmleigh in September 2009.  The Farmleigh conference, he claims has already resulted in concrete economic activity called upon the goodwill of the Irish diaspora who could contribute to recovery in Ireland.

However the Farmleigh conference while a useful initiative is more in tune with Ireland of 1990 when Mary Robinson spoke of the Irish diaspora than Ireland which has had the experience of fifteen years of immigration that has transformed the demographic and cultural make up of Ireland.  Like Tourism Ireland’s advertising, the Farmleigh conference ignored the contemporary demographics of Ireland.

The approach ignored the potential resource of Ireland’s immigrant community.
The plethora of immigrant shops, newspapers and other businesses is illustrative of the entrepreneurship that is a ready made resource for our country.  Just last week the Filippino Cultural Forum organised a gig which packed out the Grand Canal Theatre’s three thousand seats with popular acts the Filippino community enjoy.  Other minority communities are similarly well organised.

Parents of immigrant children have independently of the state organised weekend schools to ensure their children grow up competent in both English and that of their country of origin.  These weekend schools present Ireland with a unique opportunity to seek to integrate language learning within the mainstream for all Irish children in education which can result in more children becoming competent in a multitude of languages.

Our experience of immigration is distinct from that of other countries in several ways. Immigration in Ireland is a recent phenomenon and they tend to be highly skilled and they have come from all over the world.

Brazil, Russia, India and China are referred to as the BRICs, so called because they are the countries experiencing rapid growth and adding new ‘bricks’ to the global economy.  We have within our country, people who have language knowledge and cultural knowledge which can help Ireland access new markets around the world including the BRICs.  This is in addition to the fact that immigrants add significantly to Ireland’s economy.

Under the influence of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, Ireland’s official policy claimed that Ireland would learn from the experience of others and steer a course neither towards assimilation nor multiculturalism but to integration.

However since 2007, the government’s integration policy has become steadily incoherent.  The first Minister for Integration Conor Lenihan, discontinued the Fund for Integration of Legally Resident Immigrants in Ireland, established in 2006 by then Minister for Justice Michael Mc Dowell.  Unlike other state offices, the Office of the Minister has failed to spend its budget in any year since it opened.

This combined with the closure of the NCCRI and the failure to follow up on the National Action Plan Against Racism in 2008 along with the government’s continued policy of marginalisation of asylum seekers, surely Ireland’s immigrants are getting a message about their official welcome here.
Unfortunately it is a hugely damaging policy not just for reasons of social cohesion but laying the basis for a diverse Ireland tapping into the human resources of immigrants provides us with a unique resource that will help us to come through the crisis.
Building and maintaing social cohesion in our society is critical to recovery.  The political economic decisions in this budget must be mindful of the need to support community and voluntary work.
Recent research by the Trinity College Immigration Initiative suggests that children as young as seven already experience racism in Ireland.  The research found that racist abuse had serious significant consequences on children, leading to depression, delinquency and other health problems.  One eight year old Nigerian child interviewed in the research who when asked if he would change anything about himself responded by saying he wanted to be white.
We are finding that this is not an isolated view but reflective of a certain trend, a trend that as a country we need to work hard to reverse particularly in current circumstances.  Show Racism the Red Card has proven effective in challenging attitudes on the issue of racism and demonstrating practically what integration means.  We have been supported by various sporting personalities in conveying that message.  It is also vital that the government supports this programme.
Ireland’s diversity should be presented as an asset internationally Ireland is seen as a socially cohesive nation plugged into the global economy as well as the European Union.  Some people have bemoaned the fact that non-Irish nationals greet unexpecting tourists, yet again here is an opportunity to be reaching out to new tourism markets.  A follow up to the Farmleigh conference drawing on these themes could be significant in laying the foundations for recovery.

Balbriggan is a different type of town with a greater industrial base and is not conducive at present to hosting a farmers market because roads are busy and because space is limited.  If the Town Council is mindful of the lack of commercial activity, I have a number of propositions for which there could be action taken.
 
Currently there is a lot of vacant commercial property in Balbriggan both on the outskirts in the new units next to Wavin and in Fingal Bay as well as Stephenstown and also at Castlemill Shopping Centre.  There is also a substantial amount of vacant propery in Balbriggan Town Centre.  Five years ago when I moved to Balbriggan, there was one single coffee shop.  This provided for the greasy spoon market.  Now there are a number of outlets which provide better choices, but it seems to me that they are struggling to achieve a market.  On my enquiries developers are asking for €75,000 per year for 1500 sq ft for units on the main streets.  This level of rent would require significant footfall, of which there is not much in Balbriggan.  The council should look for ways to increase footfall and in the short term engage developers to drop rents significantly. 
 
There is presently not enough commercial activity in Balbriggan Town Centre.  While I am less concerned, as a resident about the outlying areas such as the units at Fingal Bay, it is not a good situation for the town to have so many vacant units such as those in the train station area, Mill Street, Drogheda and Dublin Street.  This has been the situation for over a year in regard to some of the property.  It seems that there is probably a need for active intervention on the part of the council to ensure occupancy of these units both in terms of mediating to negotiate lower rents and leases and also in terms of identifying organisations and business to lease the properties. 
 
Already in the last month, the Old Mill cafe has closed (part of Mizzoni’s) only months after opening.  Also closed is Giovanni’s restaurant and Nouveau bathrooms while Moriarty has failed ot lease a single unit at Spicer’s Mill.  The town centre looks quite desolate.  The Youth Service is a valuable addition to the town but I am under the impression that they are overpaying.  Developers seem to be blind to new realities regarding rents.  The Council should work to support this service.  There are ways that public bodies can promote activity in the town centre and create the centre as a focus.  A Farmers Market would have a limited impact in that, to my knowledge, it would be one day a week.
 
Balbriggan needs an expanded Health Centre because currently people are having to commute to Gardiner Street to obtain HSE related payments such as rent supplement, clothing allowances etc.  The HSE Northern Area Board should be contacted to bring about this centre with a view to alloting a budget and staff to man this centre. 
 
Balbriggan needs a new Social Welfare Office because unemployment has doubled to 3,000 from 1500 in January 2008.  The Department of Social Welfare should be contact by Balbriggan Town Council and Fingal with a view to opening an office in the town. 
 
Balbriggan needs a leisure centre where people can become physically active and other services are needed. 
 
A social welfare office in Balbriggan will ironically add to the commercial activity of the town, as will other public services and they will also have a community benefit by the nature of their services.  I think that the Town Council should prioritise support to existing businesses as they appear to be struggling, rather than embarking on setting up a Farmers Market.  Maybe the Town Council could approach the Fingal Enterprise Board with a view to addressing the situation.

A major new research study has revealed that there are now over 100 languages spoken in Fingal.  Ipsos Mori was commission to conduct a quantitative study of minority ethnic communities in County Fingal, based on a representative sample from the census. 1200 took part in the study. 

The report poses striking challenges for Balbriggan in particular with high level of dissatisfaction with public service ability to deliver on education provision and school places in particular.  While 91% of immigrants in Fingal as a whole were satisfied with their neighbourhood, only 45% of Balbriggan immigrants were satisfied with their neighbourhood.  This experience seems to contrast starkly with other areas and suggests the need for  particular measures to develop service provision across a range of areas that can improve Balbriggan as a place to live for immigrant and Irish alike.

The report found that foreign languages that people felt most comfortable using were Polish, Russian, Romanian, French, Lithuanian, German and Latvian. The Census of 2006 found that 17% of FIngal’s population was from outside Ireland. This was higher than the national average of 10.5%. There research revealed particular patterns in Fingal.

Of the 1200 50% came from EU countries, 20% from African Countries and 15% from Asian countries with the remainder from Russia, Ukraine and Latin America. The study found that while Blanchardstown ethnic composition was broadly representative across the nationality, Swords has higher proportion of people living there from Eastern Europe and Balbriggan had a high proportion of black Africans in the town.

The survey also found that most immigrants are likely to remain in Fingal with 50% having no plans at all to leave and an additional 30% with no plans to leave the county in the next two years. 37% identified themselves as Catholic, 8% Orthodox Christian, 10% Muslim, 10% Atheist, 4% Evangelical or Pentecostal and 3% Protestant. Only 5% were over 45 years of age.

Community Activity

While only 30% revealed they are or their children active in a social group of a community/ religious nature, this is similar to representation in voluntary activity overall in the population. Black women were more likely to be involved in a community group.

While only 16% of Polish reported they were involved in group, 44% of African respondents said they were involved. Church groups were more likely to be organised by those from the respondents ethnicity, while community groups were more likely to be organised by Irish people.

For neighbourhood groups 50% preferred that they were organised by Irish people and 34% had no preference. Polish and those from other EU accession states were less likely to be involved in a community group.

Sport and Physicial Activity

64% had not participated in any sport or physical activity in the last three months, with black females significantly less likely to have participated compared to white respondents. Refugees 20% and asylume seekers 10% had extremely low rates of participation in sport- likely related to affordability.

Respondents from Balbriggan and Mulhuddart were most likely to cite a lack of local facilities as a reason for non-participation.

For those that had participated in sport or physical activity, going to the gym 28% and football 26% were the most common activities. They were followed by swimming 14%, jogging 11%, basketball 6% and aerobics 5%, tennis 5%, badminton 2%, cricket 2% and interestingly 2% in Gaelic Games, mostly black and female participants.

Of those that would like to participate to a greater level in sports or physical activities, the main activities were football 27%, swimming 25%, tennis 15%, basketball 15%. These preferences were consistent across the ethnic groups though women were more likely to be interested in swimming or tennis.

LIving in Fingal

75% felt either somewhat or very much part of the community in which they lived and 24% did not feel part of the community. 40% of respondents in Howth said that none of the people living their area were from the same background, while only 8% of people in Swords said the same. Black respondents were more likely to feel part of the community than white respondets. Overall 91% were satisfied with their neighbourhood but only 45% of all Balbriggan respondents satisfied with their area as a place to live.

Culture

In terms of sharing culture, ethnic minorities would most like to learn about Irish history 19%, Irish dancing 14% and music 13%. 10% of African respondents would most like to learn about the language or names of Irish culture compared to 5% overall. They felt that food 28%, music 15% would be the most interesting things to share with people of other cultures about their culture.

Services

They were very satisfied with library and leisure services they used 87% and less satisfied with housing 67% and public transport services 56%. Immigration, housing services and public transport were felt to be too slow in provision of services. 100% of Balbriggan respondents were dissatisfied with Education & Training services and cited a lack of schools as the specific reason for this dissatisfaction.

Service priorities

Improving parks, playgrounds, public transport and cheaper and more plentiful sports facilities were identified as some of the areas for the council to work to improve. Addressing racism and provision of English language learning facilities were other key areas to address.

On a Monday night in September 1920, Black and Tan forces based at Gormanston’s military camp entered Balbriggan and embarked on an orgy of widespread burning and looting that ended with the killing of two of the town’s inhabitants.

This infamous assault on Balbriggan was carried out as a reprisal for the alleged killing of an R.I.C officer by the I.R.A. earlier in the evening, as the unfortunate policeman left a local pub.
In a very well-researched and concise account of Balbriggan’s night of terror, set against the background of the prevailing social, economic and political situation at the height of Ireland’s War of Independence , Brendan Matthews, a local professional community historian, has produced what is a real “must read”. This book will be of particular interest to both Balbriggan’s new and long-standing residents and will, very likely, prove to be a fantastic resource for students, teachers, or indeed anybody with an interest in Balbriggan’s history.
“The Sack of Balbriggan” can be purchased directly from Brendan Matthews, Silverstream Cottage, Stedalt, Stamullen, Co. Meath for just Euro 6.00, (plus postage and packing costs).

Introduction

While the development of the mini-pitch is welcome there are concerns by residents that the facility will not be maintained and additional concern about anti-social behaviour. The need for facilities for children especially is crucially important.

This survey has established from statements by residents that residents in Cardy Rock want Fingal Council to upgrade their current open space.

Currently facilities are wholly inadequate and children in the estate are forced to play on the road.

There is a strong feeling of frustration on the part of residents that there are not adequate recreation facilities.

Survey method

All households in Cardy Rock were called on, except those in Cardy Rock Close and the Nabco apartments at the front of the estate. One person represented each household. The survey stated that ‘Fingal Council proposes to develop an all weather minipitch facility in the open space in Cardy Rock Estate. This is further to representations made to have such a facility sited at Bremore Park, between Cardy Rock and St Molaga’s’. Residents were given three opinions to choose from to voice their position. They were given the option of choosing option 2 and three.

Survey results

Their opinions given were:

A total 91 Households answered from Cardy Rock Avenue, Cardy Rock Drive, Cardy Rock Crescent, Cardy Rock Road, Cardy Rock Square, Cardy Rock Walk. 91 Households took part in the survey out of 190 called on.

Option 1- No mini-pitch at all- 1 Household

Option 2- Yes to a mini-pitch in our estate- 73 Households

Option 3- Yes to a mini-pitch but at Bremore Castle- 74 Households

23 said yes only to option 3 that they wanted the mini-pitch at Bremore Castle, which is an indication that they are opposed to the mini-pitch at the proposed location

51 said yes to Option 2 and 3.

18 said yes only to option 2. The numbers in favour of the facility in the estate at the proposed location and did not give an opinion of favour to the Bremore site was 18, indicating a preference for development of facility within the estate.

In Cardy Rock Drive. 3 were in favour of the mini-pitch at the proposed location and 9 stated that they were in favour of the facility but in Bremore Park and were opposed to it at the proposed location.

Cardy Rock Avenue is also in view of the proposed mini-pitch facility and could thus be regarded as affected by the development. Of 19 surveyed on Cardy Rock Avenue, while all stated they were in favour of the facility at Bremore Castle, 11 were in favour of the facility in the estate and 8 were not in favour of the facility at the proposed location.

Other points

The view to favour development of facilities within the estate is strong particularly from parents of young children and who want to be able to see their children at play.

The concerns expressed by residents about the location of the mini-pitch facility centre around issues of management and possible anti-social behaviour.

There was also strong feelings expressed which favour the development of play facilities for smaller children, such as a playground.

The absence of a youth service catering for older young people gives justice to the concern about anti-social behaviour.

Conclusion

The development of facilities in Balbriggan is sorely needed. The majority of residents are in favour of the mini-pitch facility in the estate. There are strong concerns from some residents.

There was an initial proposal from residents from Cardy Rock to have the mini-pitch and possibly a playground developed at the location of Bremore Castle, on the basis that such development would assist the development of that site and be a facility for the whole of Balbriggan. Residents would like the council to do a job in upgrading the open space of the proposed location. Currently it is not suitable for playing on.

The site at Bremore Castle is a good location for the development of a minipitch because such development would benefit the residents of not only Cardy Rock but also residents throughout Balbriggan. It is also close to the Garda Station and is visible to passing traffic and pedestrians.

Such development should also be consistent with the plan of Fingal Council to develop that site as a public park. It is evident that such facilities, are welcomed by residents, but in order to obtain best use, this submission makes the following recommendations:

- Build mini-pitch and playground at Bremore Castle as the preferred location

- Council to allay concerns about anti-social behaviour and issues of maintenance

- Fingal Council to develop the Cardy Rock open space so that it is playable for football and other activities of children (currently it isn’t)

- Move the fence from the inside of the open space to the ditch at the edge and make the open space playable

Notes on Bremore:

Bremore is part of a master plan by Fingal Council to be developed as a public park and have a heritage centre and other facilies. Progress has been too slow on this site and the development of this site as a resource for all of Balbriggan is crucial because of the lack of current infrastructure to cater for the needs of north Balbriggan

Balbriggan residents are victims of a monumental failure in delivery of infrastructure. More than 4,000 additional houses have been built in the area in the last 5 years, with no provision of necessary community facilities. This is not good enough and has to change.

Consultants Report

In April 2006, Fingal County Council published a report on Community Facilities in Balbriggan. The report cost ?20,000 and would have cost a lot more if residents had not done the great part of work involved in collating surveys from households in Balbriggan.

The report recommended the building of a multipurpose community facility and that particular action was necessary in the new part of town. It exposed the fact that 26% of people are forced to use facilities outside the area and many groups have to rent space commercially because the facilities are absent in Balbriggan.

Armed with this information, what did the Council do? Absolutely nothing! This disgraceful situation cannot continue. As Summer approaches action is needed now to fast-track facilities in the town.

Enough is Enough!

Some fantastic facilities have been built in other areas. Finglas Leisure Centre built and funded through the taxpayer provides an excellent service with fully equipped gym, all weather 5 a-side pitches, swimming pool, community centre and youth resource service in an integrated venue next to the library. Why not in
Balbriggan?

Fingal Council should be leading the charge to find the resources through the levies that each of the new 4,000 householders have paid (?15,000 each- ?60m), from the Department of Environment or by accessing Pobal’s Dormant Account Funds, National Lottery and other sources.

This has gone on long enough – we need action now. Clearly residents are going to have to get organized and campaign on this issue or nothing will change. To that end Balbriggan Socialist Party representative Garrett Mullan in conjunction with Councillor Clare Daly is convening a meeting to highlight the need for an immediate campaign for Community Facilities in Balbriggan.

While existing groups are invited, we would also encourage as many residents as possible to attend whether you are involved with a local group or not. Don’t leave it to someone else. It’s clear that no action will be taken unless significant pressure is built up on this issue. The young people in the area cannot wait any
longer.

Come to the meeting and get involved in the campaign!
For More Information on this issue or advice/assistance on any matter Contact Garrett Mullan, 3 Cardy Rock Close, Balbriggan Tel. 086 392 7650 garrettmullan@gmail.com www.garrettmullan.wordpress.com

The development of a Minipitch, co-funded by the FAI and the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism, at Cardy Rock is a very welcome development for the estate. It represents a €100,000 investment in the estate. According to the statement sent out by Senan Turnbull of Fingal Council, there are indications that this features as part of an overall development of the open space in Cardy Rock indicating other development possibly a playground in the area.

However, the initial representations made by the Cardy Rock Residents Association proposed that the council place a Mini-pitch and explore the possibility of a playground at the site at Bremore Castle. The Bremore Castle site, currently mostly rubble between Cardy Rock and St Molagas National School, is sited to be developed as a public park. The council parks department told residents in Cardy Rock that they have no plans to do any parks work in Balbriggan in 2008.

The residents association proposed the mini-pitch site to be part of Bremore as a kickstart to the development of a park at this site, which would in turn be a facility for residents of estates nearby the site at Bremore Castle.

The residents association did make representations to the council in regard to the open space seeking investment in its upgrade. While development of the open space will be very welcome, we also are anxious that the development of the Bremore Castle site is fast tracked because while it has great potential it is currently an eyesore.

Meanwhile, residents in northwest Balbriggan may notice that the area of Bell’s Lane and the beach is cleaner. 35 residents of all ages from Cardy Rock took part in a clean up of the estate, its open space, Bell’s Lane and the beach. The residents association will make representations to the council to do maintenance and upgrade of the beach.

Given its location alongside the new estates of Balbriggan, the beach is becoming increasingly popular but it is also abused by illegal dumping and littering on a regular basis. It’s popularity is also accounted for by increasing curiousity of the Passage Graves which are believed to be 5,000 years old.

The report involved an analysis of need setting out use of existing facilities, identifying gaps and needs to be addressed. The report has since been filed away while the community is still in need. The report suggests that many people feel that the development of community spirit is stifled, as there is no focal point for the community in Balbriggan. This opinion can be detrimental to the sustainability of the town. It contributes to a transience and added to the perception of commuter belt living, can be negative. It suggests that many people will try and move on as soon as they can.

The report recommends that resources be found to fund the building and management of a multipurpose community facility which would also have capacity to address specific needs; youth, adult education, elderly and sports. It also recommends that while the facility would be for all the community, action must be carried out to develop capacity within the community in the new part of town.

The reports entitled ‘Balbriggan Ar Aghaidh- Needs Analysis and Facility Strategy’ concluded that existing facilities are used to their optimum as there are difficulties experienced by a range of groups in sourcing facilities. It further added that 26% of people surveyed are forced to use facilities outside the town because the services are absent in Balbriggan. Many community groups in the town are forced to rent space from commercial operations due to the scarcity of community facilities. A total of 526 households were surveyed.

Some fantastic facilities have been built in other areas. Finglas Leisure Centre built and funded through the taxpayer provides an excellent service with fully equipped gym, all weather 5 a-side pitches, swimming pool, community centre and youth resource service in an integrated venue next to the library.

Fingal Council should be leading the charge to find the resources through the levies that each of the new 4,000 householders have paid (€15,000 each- €60m) from the Department of Environment and resources such the regional drug task force and the Leader Partnership can access through Pobal’s Dormant Account funds, National Lottery and other sources.

There obviously has not been the political will to deliver in Balbriggan. It is up to residents to put the pressure on. I will be convening a meeting on this issue shortly.