Trees Set Ablaze for Second Time Threaten Safety of Families

Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh is calling for faster enforcement action by local authorities to intervene where trees on privately owned land parcels are not being maintained. This follows a serious incident last Thursday might, when trees that help to form a boundary between 10 homes in Old Forge and Haydens Lane in Lucan

Tourism and Community Amenity – Planned for Lucan House

Proposed plans for the former Italian Ambassador’s Residence in Lucan Village were presented to Councillors of the Lucan and Palmerstown-Fonthill Area Committee at Tuesday’s (23rd) meeting. The sale of ‘Lucan House’ is expected to close in June with a formal handover event to be arranged. Cllr Derren Ó Brádaigh was speaking following the meeting and

Cost of Graffiti Removal Almost Doubles

It is estimated that the cost of removing graffiti will almost double in 2024 according to Sinn Féin councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh. The councillor is calling for tougher measures and penalties for those bent on mindlessly spray painting our public spaces. Cllr Ó Brádaigh said; “In 2023 South Dublin County Council spent €71,000 on graffiti

National Spring Clean Month Launched at New Airlie Park

This year’s South Dublin County Council ‘National Spring Clean’ was officially launched at the Council’s new Airlie Park in Lucan on Tuesday. The event that runs for the month of April was welcomed by local Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh. Cllr Ó Brádaigh said; “I was delighted that the Council took the decision to

Disruption to Postal Services Causing Havoc in Lucan

‘Redesign’ changes to An Post operations are causing very severe disruptions for large swathes of Lucan residents, businesses and local service operators according to one South Dublin County Councillor. Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh represents Lucan and Palmerstown-Fonthill and has said that he has already received several complaints and queries from households and resident

Waste Operator ‘Transaction Fees’ – A Cause of Concern

Some concerned customers of domestic waste operator Greyhound have reported having surcharges applied, for choosing to pay their domestic waste bin charges by credit or debit card. According to one local county councillor representing residents in Lucan and Palmerstown-Fonthill, Greyhound customers have contacted him about the recent introduction of a surcharge, described on account holder’s

More Information Needed on ‘Rightsizing’ Options

More information needs to be more readily available and in the public domain advertising potential home move options available to both local authority tenants and homeowners wishing to ‘Rightsize’ according to one South Dublin County Councillor. Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh said; “Rightsizing and allocation of age-friendly accommodation came before us at my very

Greater Focus to Tenant-in-Situ Delays Needed

Less bureaucracy and greater expediency are necessary to support local authorities to secure more homes through the Tenant-in-Situ Scheme according to one South Dublin County councillor. Sinn Féin’s Derren Ó Brádaigh was speaking in view of recent figures that he received to an official question, that sought a detailed breakdown on the situation in relation

Lucan Pool Site Visited By Councillors – Cllr Derren Ó Brádaigh

Following a litany of delayed opening dates for the new Lucan pool, local councillors were given the opportunity to avail of an on-site tour of the long-awaited new facility on Friday 26th January. Sinn Féin councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh took the tour of what is still a construction site and was commenting immediately afterwards. Cllr

Progress to Retrofit Older Council Homes Welcomed

Sinn Féin councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh has said that whilst progress is somewhat slow and overall numbers are low, he is encouraged by the headway being made to retrofit the Council’s own housing stock. The Dublin Mid-West councillor represents Lucan and Palmerstown-Fonthill and was commenting in relation to queries he has made recently. Cllr Ó

Council Housing & Homeless Figures Continue to Rise

Sinn Féin councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh has once again expressed utter dismay at the sheer number of households and individuals on South Dublin County Council’s housing waiting list. The Dublin Mid-West councillor has criticised Government for failing to deliver upon the number of homes needed, when speaking to the latest figures he received on housing

2,500 Trees and New Stepping-Stone Forests Planned

Sinn Féin councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh has welcomed the news that South Dublin County Council will plant as many as 2,500 new trees as part of a winter tree planting programme. The Council’s Public Realm Section also intends commencing a programme of mini-woodlands or steeping-stones forests around the county, proposing to select three locations from

Community Incensed at Vandalism of Newly Opened Lucan Parks

Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh has expressed his condemnation of sheer wanton vandalism of two newly opened parks in Lucan. Tandy’s Lane Park opened last year and has seen some anti-social behaviour, with the newly opened Airlie Park seeing activity areas daubed in graffiti within 24 hours of opening to the public. Cllr Ó

Despair Over Delay of Station Opening

A Dublin Mid-West Sinn Féin councillor has expressed both disappointment and concern being conveyed by residents in Lucan, at news this week that Kishogue Train Station will not open as expected by the end of the year. Cllr Derren Ó Brádaigh was speaking following a response he received from the National Transport Authority regarding an

Nitrous Oxide Misuse Continues to Plague Communities

Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh is once again raising serious concern at the lack of any real urgency by government to get a handle on the escalating problem of nitrous oxide abuse within communities, and the exorbitant profits being made outside of the intended purpose for which they are manufactured. Cllr Ó Brádaigh said;

Councillor express concern after huge consternation about tree felling in Corkagh Park

Cllr William Carey (SF) has called upon SDCC to clarify the reasons behind the removal of mature tree’s in Corkagh park, this despite a commitment to retain existing mature trees? In Feb 2022, councillors passed a Part 8 proposal with a budget of circa €5m, aimed at enhancing and upgrading facilities in the park. Included

‘Liffey Valley Staff Must Be Exempt from Unfair Parking Charges’ – Say Sinn Féin Councillors

At Monday’s meeting of SDCC an unexpected discussion led to exchanges between councillors regarding the introduction of parking charges at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre and whether staff should have to pay unjust car parking charges for simply arriving to work. During the discussion on the managers’ report, both Dublin Mid-West Councillors William Carey and Derren Ó Brádaigh complained

Dublin Mid-West TDs must confirm if they will back Sinn Féin’s plan to cut energy costs for workers and families – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West Mark Ward has called on government TDs in Dublin Mid-West to confirm if they will back the party’s plan to cut energy costs when it comes before the Dáil today. The motion will be debated by TDs this evening and would cut electricity bills to the prices they were in

FF/FG Combine To Block Sinn Féin on Cost of Living

Two Sinn Féin Dublin Mid-West councillors have expressed their disappointment and anger at Fianna Fail and Fine Gael councillors who combined to block a motion calling on the Government to bring forward a series of measures to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. Cllr William Carey (Clondalkin) and Cllr Derren Ó Brádaigh (Lucan Fonthill) were speaking after the September full

Only 70% of CAMHS beds are operational. Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health Mark Ward TD has expressed his disappointment with government over reduced CAMHS bed capacity. Teachta Ward was speaking after receiving a response to a parliamentary question which stated that operational capacity in CAMHS was only 70% as of this week. The Dublin Mid-West TD said: “I am really disappointed

Radical Overhaul of Ireland’s Mental Health System Required

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health Mark Ward TD has agreed with the president of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland that a ‘radical overhaul’ of Ireland’s mental health system is required. Teachta Ward was speaking after Dr William Flannery’s interview with RTÉ Morning Ireland this week. The Dublin Mid-West TD said: “In my time

Sinn Féin launch Mental Health Services Experience survey – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health Mark Ward TD has today launched an online service to examine the experiences of people accessing – or attempting to access – mental health services. Teachta Ward said: “Sinn Féin wants to hear the real-life experiences of people trying to access HSE and Community mental health services in this

Staggering increase in Children refused treatment by CAMHS. Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Mental Health, Mark Ward TD  has received startling figures from the HSE that shows a year on year increase in the amount of children who are referred to CAMHS but are denied treatment. Teachta Ward said: “Information I received from the HSE through a parliamentary question shows an annual increase in

7% increase in patients waiting on Psychology appointments is unsustainable.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health Mark Ward TD has said that yet another increase in the number of children waiting on psychology treatment is very concerning. Teachta Ward was speaking after a response to his parliamentary question stated that over 13,000 patients are currently waiting for psychology treatment. Over 11,000 of those waiting on

Update on Car Parking fees in Liffey Valley

Deputy Ward; Thanks for getting in touch and we are very happy to outline to Deputy Ward the significant enhancements to our car parks that are underway here at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. We are investing significantly as part of an overall strategy to enhance customer experience and to position the Centre to attract a

No Trainee Psychologists hired despite €38 million HSE investment

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has called for a full review into the recruitment process of newly-qualified clinical psychologists. In response to  Parliamentary Questions submitted by Teachta Ward,  over the last 5 years, the HSE has spent over €38 million on salaries and fees for trainee Clinical Psychologists  but due to

Sinn Féin Councillor criticizes OPR and Minister for overruling Councillors

Cllr. William Carey (SF) has criticized the decision by the Office of the Planning Regulator for its decision to overrule SDCC councillors in the formation of the 6-year county development plan. On Friday 29th July councillors were informed that the Minister for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke TD had notified SDCC of his intention

Regressive Move to Overturn County Development Plan ‘Ban’ of Data Centres

A Dublin Mid-West Sinn Féin councillor has strongly criticised the intervention of Minister Peter Burke to reverse the decision by South Dublin County Councillors taken in March of this year, banning the construction of any more data centres in its jurisdiction. Councillors voted to support the ban during the recent making of the South Dublin

Review into the recruitment process for newly qualified clinical psychologists urgently needed. Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Mental Health, Mark Ward TD has called for a full review into the recruitment process for newly qualified clinical psychologists. This is after Teachta Ward received information from the HSE that over the last five or more years due to difficulties with the process of getting approvals, the HSE have not

There is an emergency in children’s mental health care – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Mental Health, Mark Ward TD has said that there is an emergency in children’s mental health care. Teachta Ward highlighted the huge waiting lists that are resulting in children having to access emergency departments for mental health treatment directly with the Taoiseach last week during questions on promised legislation. Teachta Ward

Rent Assistance Subsidies Costing Council €100 Million Per Year

Dublin Mid-West Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh has expressed alarm at the shocking rise in spending levels for rent subsidies in South Dublin. Ó Brádaigh was commenting following a response received from council officials to a question regarding rent subsidies in recent years. The Councillor for Lucan-Palmerstown-North Clondalkin said; “The failure of government to

Complete lack of urgency in opening eating disorder service in Mount Carmel. Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health Mark Ward TD has  said the delays in the long-awaited eating disorder service in Mount Carmel Hospital are unacceptable. The facility was due to open in late 2021 before being initially delayed until June 2022.  Teachta Ward has received a response from the HSE this week to say the

For too long the Gardaí have been the gate keepers for mental health services. Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Mental Health Mark Ward TD has called for the Minister for Health to publish the findings of the capacity review of Authorised Officer’s across the Community Healthcare Organisation’s. Teachta Wards comments come after publication of the  annual report of the Mental Health Commission which showed an increase in those involuntary detained

Childcare Facilities Simply Not Being Delivered Within Adamstown SDZ

Sinn Féin Councillor for Lucan-Palmerstown-North Clondalkin, Derren Ó Brádaigh, has criticised the Government for failing to deliver upon urgently needed childcare facilities in a strategic development zone in west Dublin. Cllr Ó Brádaigh said; “Affordable childcare is a huge issue everywhere in Ireland but has become particularly acute in Lucan now, with the escalating population

St Cuthberts Park set to get major upgrade

Cllr William Carey SF has welcomed the news from South Dublin County Council that they have appointed a consultancy team led by Nicholas de Jong Associates – Landscape Architects, to develop a Masterplan for St Cuthbert’s Park, Clondalkin. The team will be working with Public Realm Capital Projects section to bring the project through to

The government have missed an opportunity to make Ireland a world leader in capacity legislation.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health Mark Ward TD has said that the government have missed an  opportunity to make Ireland a world leader in capacity legislation The government  did not accept any opposition amendments to the Assisted Decision-Making Capacity Act during report stage last night. Speaking after the report  stage debate, Teachta Ward said:

Mental Health treatment should be based on need not on ability to pay. Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Mental Health, Mark Ward TD has called the two-tiered health service a failure for people presenting publicly with mental health  difficulties. 2021 also seen an increase in the number of children admitted into adult inpatient psychiatric facilities Teachta Ward was speaking after the launch of the Mental Health Commissions Annual Report

Cllr Carey elected as Area Chair

Cllr William Carey SF has expressed his delight at been elected to the position of Area Chair for the Clondalkin area committee. Councillor Carey was speaking after the SDCC annual general meeting (AGM) which was held at county hall on Friday last. Cllr Carey added that he was delighted that his fellow councillors had placed

Affordable Home Loans Scheme shows government incompetence

Cllr William Carey SF has accused the government of incompetence in the roll out of its “affordable home purchase scheme”. Cllr Carey said that he had learned recently that the banks were rejecting mortgage applications from would be buyers on the basis that “ they were availing of the affordable housing scheme”. Cllr Carey added

Confirmation For Kishogue Train Station Remains Unclear

A Sinn Féin Councillor in Dublin Mid-West has expressed the frustration being felt by commuters and many more ‘would-be commuters’ at the lack of a definitive opening date for the long awaited Kishogue train station. Cllr Derren Ó Brádaigh was speaking following recent separate responses that he received from both the National Transport Authority and

Less than 6% of eating disorder patients admitted to hospital receive specialist care.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health Mark Ward TD  has said that  adult patients simply cannot wait any longer for the government to increase the amount of inpatient eating disorder beds that are available to the public. Information received by Teachta Ward from the HSE  states that since 2018 less than 6% of  adults who

Emergency Department wait times at Tallaght Hospital a ‘disgrace’ – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid West, Mark Ward has described wait times at Tallaght Hospital  as a ‘disgrace’, saying that a plan to tackle hospital overcrowding is urgently needed. The average wait time for admission to Tallaght A&E was 15 hours in May 2022. Teachta Ward said: “The Sláintecare target for admission to an A&E Department is less than

Canal Extension/Ashwood development – Cllr William Carey

Cllr William Carey SF has welcomed the decision by SDCC to proceed with the construction of 116 social and affordable and much needed homes in Clondalkin. Cllr Carey stated that this development offers an opportunity for the children of existing residents to obtain local affordable housing close to where they have grown up. Following a

Huge increases in waiting times for Jigsaw require urgent action. Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health Mark Ward TD has said increases in waiting times for the Jigsaw youth mental health service are worrying.  Teachta Ward has called on the Minister to urgently engage with the service to provide a solution. Waiting times for an appointment with Jigsaw are currently up to 18 weeks, with

Clondalkin Swimming pool back in full operational capacity. – Cllr William Carey

Cllr William Carey of Sinn Féin has welcomed the news that the long running saga of the broken boom at Clondalkin swimming pool has finally come to an end. Last weekend Clondalkin swimming pool became fully operational again when contractors working on behalf of SDCC finally managed to carry out repairs to the “boom”. The

Fine Gael engaging in gutter politics

Sinn Féin Councillor William Carey has accused Fine Gael of cowardice and engaging in “gutter politics” after Cllr David McManus suggested that tenants in arrears were responsible for the council failing to refurbish additional housing stock (Independent.ie 13/6/2022). Cllr Carey said that Fine Gael had recently withdrawn a motion dealing with rent arrears because they

Social Farming has a key role to play in recovery from mental ill health in a rural setting. Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson for mental health Mark Ward TD has welcomed the report The Value and Values of Social Farming by Social Farming Ireland , that showed positive responses and outcomes for participants with mental health challenges. Speaking after the launch of the report in Naas, Co Kildare Teachta Ward said “I was delighted to

Amendments needed to the Assisted Decision-Making Capacity Act – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Mental Health, Mark Ward TD has called for the Government to listen to the opposition and to agree to  amendments to the Assisted Decision-Making Capacity Act. Sinn Fein support the need to reform how wardships of court are legislated for in the state. The Government however have missed the opportunity to

National Action Plan for Traveller Mental Health needed. Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Mental Health, Mark Ward has called on the Government to implement the 84 recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Report published on the Key issues affecting the traveller communities. Including the development of National Action Plan for Traveller Mental Health Teachta Ward said: “Yesterday I stood in solidarity with  Traveller groups and

Zero Tolerance Plan Urgently Needed to End 27 Hour-Long Emergency Department Waits at Tallaght University Hospital– Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West TD has called on the Minister for Health to urgently implement a Zero Tolerance Plan to end long emergency department waits. Teachta Ward’s remarks came as new data from the HSE (attached) shows that the average patient experience time to admission at Tallaght University Hospital ranged from 19.3 hours  to 27.5 hours. The