LABOUR NEWS DUN LAOGHAIRE EAMON GILMORE TD GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN LOCAL EDUCATION NEW SCHOOL BUILDING FOR NEWPARK COMPREHENSIVE Work has commenced on the construction of a new school building for Newpark Comprehensive School in Blackrock. This new building is badly needed, and is the result of a hard fought campaign by staff, parents and students of the school. The decision to rebuild the school was originally taken in 2000, but since then the project has been subject to numerous delays. “I visited the school in April 2012, and upon witnessing the conditions staff and students were facing, I worked with my Labour colleagues, Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn T.D., and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin T.D., to ensure that the necessary funding was made available to get this important project off the ground” said An Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore. The contractors, Duggan Brothers, are now on site and work has begun on the demolition of the old school building. Temporary buildings will be in place for students to return to in September to ensure there is minimal disruption to the education of students while building is ongoing. It is estimated that the project will cost €13 million and will take two years to complete.
An Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, with Derek Lowry, Principal Newpark Comprehensive, and David Duggan, Director of Duggan Brothers Contractors. Photo: Liosa McNamara
NEW BLACKROCK CAMPUS FOR SENIOR COLLEGE DUN LAOGHAIRE It is expected that construction on the new campus for Senior College Dun Laoghaire (SCD) in Blackrock will be complete by the end of this year. The development will bring the four departments (Business, Design, IT and Beauty) of SCD together onto one campus for the first time, transforming the college. The new building will incorporate the refurbished Blackrock Town Hall, Carnegie Library and Municipal Technical School, with an adjoining three-storey building added. The SCD has recently become a part of the newly established Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board, which was formed from the merger of Dun Laoghaire and the County of Dublin VECs.
ST. BRENDAN’S COLLEGE
SCOIL LORCÁIN UPGRADE
CLONKEEN COLLEGE EXTENSION
Plans for a new school building for St. Brendan’s College in Bray are at an advanced stage. It is expected that the project will go to tender, and then onto construction, by the end of 2013.
Construction of a 12 room extension and refurbishment of the current main building at Scoil Lorcáin in Monkstown is expected to commence in 2015. It is likely it will take two years to complete the project.
A new extension at Clonkeen College in Blackrock, which will include a gymnasium, the upgrading of sports grounds and refurbishment of the existing building, is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. It is expected the project will go out to tender later this year, with building expected to begin in 2014.
Autumn 2013
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FUTURE SECURED FOR ST. COLUMCILLE’S AND ST. MICHAEL’S HOSPITALS Two reports published in May 2013, ‘Securing the Future of Smaller Hospitals: A Framework for Development’ and ‘The Establishment of Hospital Groups as a Transition to Independent Hospital Trusts’ have provided certainty to the future of St. Columcille’s Hospital in Loughlinstown, and St. Michael’s Hospital in Dun Laoghaire. The decision to sort hospitals into groups, with services split between large and small hospitals means both St. Columcille’s and St. Michael’s will remain open, while ensuring patients are provided with high quality, safe services. The Emergency Department in St. Columcille’s Hospital is to be replaced by a Local Injury Unit, and a Medical Assessment Unit. Patients with serious injuries, and those in need of acute care, will be treated at St. Vincent’s University Hospital. LOCAL INJURY UNIT ■
will receive patients 7 days a week from 8am until 6pm.
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will treat patients for minor injuries, such as suspected broken bones, sprains and strains, facial injuries, minor scalds and burns.
MEDICAL ASSESSMENT UNIT ■
open 7 days a week from 8am to 6pm.
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will receive referrals from GPs, and provide access to diagnostic services.
Day services will be expanded to include more day case surgery – such as colonoscopies, endoscopies and urology, maximising the use of resources and reducing waiting times for these kinds of procedures. The HSE is liaising closely with management, staff and the Department of Health on all changes, and there will be a full consultation period involving all interested parties prior to the transfer of any services. It is anticipated that this will be completed before the end of 2013.
UPGRADING OF NATIONAL REHABILITATION HOSPITAL Construction will soon begin on a new 120 bed facility at the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) at Rochestown Avenue in Dun Laoghaire. The NRH provides inpatient and outpatient services to patients who, as a result of accident, illness or injury have acquired a physical or cognitive disability and require specialist rehabilitation. The new facility will be purpose built to specifically accommodate the needs of patients, particularly those requiring complex specialist rehabilitation services. Crucially, the new facility will be made up of single rooms, ensuring that patients have privacy, while also reducing the risk of infection. The project is being jointly funded by the Department of Health and the National Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation. The design team has been appointed, and the design process is currently at an early stage. It is expected to be completed by 2015.
POTTERY ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME Pottery Road in Dun Laoghaire, which provides access to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, numerous businesses including the Amgen facility, and many residential properties, is due to be upgraded in the coming months. The scheme includes a new road alignment, improved drainage, along with footpaths and cycle lanes on both sides of the road. The upgrade will make the road much safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. The upgrade was agreed by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, the National Transport Authority, and the Department of Transport in order to facilitate the development of the Amgen facility. This is a win-win - Amgen will be able to employ an extra 100 people, on top of the 280 they already employ, while local people and businesses will have access to a better, safer Pottery Road.
LOUGHLINSTOWN LEISURE CENTRE OPENS The brand new, state of the art swimming pool and leisure centre in Loughlinstown was officially opened by the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore in May. The centre now hosts a 25m six-lane swimming pool, along with three artificial pitches, changing rooms, a coffee shop, beauty salon and children’s play area. It has been specifically re-designed with the needs of people with physical disabilities or visual impairments in mind, with facilities such as large changing cubicles, wheelchair showers and a mobile hoist to assist in bringing customers from the changing area to the pool. The cost of upgrading the centre was €8 million, which was jointly funded by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. You will find details of the centre’s opening hours, and the price of admission below. Opening Hours: ■
Mon – Fri: 6.30am – 10pm
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Saturday: 9am – 6pm
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Sunday: 10am – 6pm
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Closed on Bank Holidays
Price of Admission: ■
Adult: €5.50
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Child older than 3: €3.00
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Child younger than 3: Free
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Family (2 adults and 2 children): €14.00
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People aged 65 and over, students and people with disabilities (Monday to Friday, before 6:00pm): €4.50 An Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore with staff from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Leisure Services
NEW LIBRARY AND CULTURAL CENTRE FOR DUN LAOGHAIRE Construction commenced on Dun Laoghaire’s new Library and Cultural Centre in April 2012, and the project is currently on track to be open to the public in June 2014. The centre will be located overlooking the former bowling green at Moran Park, with entry points located on Haigh Terrace. The state of the art library will include a public ‘living room’ where the public will be able to use the internet, read newspapers and magazines and find information on community events. The building will also contain general reading rooms, with some set aside for use by young people, a children’s library and a local history department. Moran Park itself will be redeveloped, with the creation of an outdoor space for events. The estimated cost of the new centre is €36.6m, with funding allowed for in the €165m Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Capital Expenditure Programme 2012-2015.
SHANKILL SHOPPING CENTRE Shankill Shopping Centre was sold for €6m in September 2012. The new owners have applied for planning permission to re-develop the centre. The plans include proposals to build an extension to increase the size of the supermarket, an expansion of the car park – with space for 116 new spaces, and a new vehicular entrance at Corbawn Lane. The proposals are currently under review by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
DUN LAOGHAIRE AND THE 1913 LOCKOUT An exhibition to commemorate the centenary of the 1913 Lockout, and the connection that Dun Laoghaire has to the events of 1913, is now running in the National Maritime Museum. The exhibition opened on 23rd August 2013, and will run until 18th January 2014 – covering the same period as the Lockout itself. The National Maritime Museum is open every day from 11am until 5pm. Admission costs €5, with discounts available for families, children and groups.
Upcoming Local Events Blackrock Animation Film Festival (11th – 12th October
Children’s Book Festival
Social Inclusion Week
(October 2013) – all Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Libraries will feature a programme of events, including appearances by authors, readings, and writing and illustration workshops.
2013) – programme includes screenings, animation workshops and the presentation of the Blackrock Animation Film Festival Awards.
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An Cathaoirleach Carrie Smyth
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Senator Aideen Hayden 01 618 3978 aideen.hayden@oir.ie
(12th -19th October 2013) – designed to showcase the work communities are doing to combat poverty and improve the quality of life of their residents. Events will include workshops, exhibitions and a Community 5k race.
Every Monday 9.30 am (Except Bank Holidays) 47A Patrick Street, Dun Laoghaire (between Brown's Brother's Locksmiths and Homevalue Hardware)
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WORKING WITH YOUR LOCAL LABOUR TEAM
Emer Costello MEP 01 874 6109 emer.costello@europarl.europa.eu 0612