Tallaght News 15th Nov by Newsgroup

15th November 2021

MORE NEEDED TO BE DONE ON PASSPORT BACKLOG FOR CHILDREN TD for Dublin MidWest Eoin O’Broin TD has expressed deep concern at the failure of the government to put in place provisions to address the backlog of passport applications in Dublin, particularly for children. While delays in the system aren’t as long or for adults, the waiting times for children are at a frustratingly high level. Figures obtained at the end of the

Summer showed over 15,000 outstanding applications in County Dublin, alone.

Teachta O’Broin said: “The writing was on the wall in front of government, many months ago in relation to passport applications. The office needs to be resourced adequately and citizens deserve a system that can give them a legitimate expectation as to when

their document will be ready.

“Many families in our community are eager to see loved ones who they’ve been separated from for the last 18 months. Without an application system that we can trust to give accurate waiting times – it is impossible for these people to plan around work and other commitments.” ‘There also appears to

be a particular problem with the passport offices online photo download facility. Many people are finding that despite the photo being accepted, two weeks later they are told the photo was actually rejected.

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It appears that there is a web browser issue. ‘Unfortunately a two week delay in processing time can make the difference between being able to travel to an important family event abroad, such as a funeral, and missing such events.’ “There can be no doubt as to the effort that the staff and management in the passport service are putting in to deal with the backlog accrued over Covid, this is a failure of government to properly resource the passport office.” “I am calling on Minister Simon Coveney, to fix this by resourcing the office correctly and thus, allow people to see the ones they have been kept away from for so long.”

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VOTING OPENS FOR €300K HAVE YOUR SAY TALLAGHT CENTRAL

Public voting on South Dublin County Council’s landmark €300k Have Your Say initiative in the Tallaght Central Electoral Area has commenced. Residents are asked to log on to www. sdcc.ie/haveyoursay and vote on a shortlist of twenty projects which aim to improve the quality of life for residents, visitors and businesses in the area. €300k Have Your Say’ is a participatory budgeting initiative that has been run by South Dublin County Council since 2017. €300k Have Your Say allows residents to develop project proposals for their local area and then vote on shortlisted proposals to

select winning projects to be funded up to the value of €300,000. There are no age barriers to taking part and every proposal is treated with respect. Simply put, €300k Have Your Say is about helping to create community-led projects that directly benefit you, your neighbours, friends and family.

consolidated all ideas into a comprehensive shortlist. The recommendations were then brought to the full council for approval on Monday, 8 November 2021. As well as the online vote, the Council will also open voting stations on Thursday, 18 November at several

locations in the area. The venues being used as voting stations are: County Library, Tallaght (from 12pm to 8pm), Kilnamanagh Community Centre (from 5pm to 8pm) and Dominic’s Community Centre (from 5pm to 8pm). Voting closes on Monday, 22 November

2021. Speaking on the launch of the voting stage, Cllr Peter Kavanagh, Mayor of South Dublin County, said, “Before I was elected to the Council, I took part in €300k Have Your Say when it ran in Clondalkin in 2018 and it is a great way for people

to get involved and decide what they want to see in their local area. Voting is open for the next two weeks and I would urge the people of Tallaght Central to get involved and have their say on where this funding should go.”

The Council received 223 submissions from the public during the consultation process which took place during September and October. The participatory budgeting steering committee, which is made up of Elected Members and Council Officials, reviewed and

Published by: Newsgroup, Unit 3 Floor 2 St. Dominics Shopping Centre, St. Dominics Road, Tallaght, Dublin, D24 HK49. Titles: Tallaght News, Clondalkin News, Lucan News and Rathcoole & Saggart News Distributed by: Local Post Co. Contact Details: Website www.newsgroup.ie

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Pictured Cllr. Charlie O’Connor, The Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Cllr Peter Kavanagh and Cllr Teresa Costello

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YOUR BUS NETWORK IS GROWING The new BusConnects network has started rolling out across Dublin this year. Phase 2 will be launched on 28th November in West Dublin and East Kildare, providing improved service from areas such as Maynooth, Leixlip, Celbridge, Lucan, Adamstown, Liffey Valley and Palmerstown towards the City centre, Ringsend and Sandymount. This will see the introduction of the C-Spine (C1, C2, C3, C4), route 52, eight peak only routes (P29, X25, X26, X27, X28, X30, X31 and X32) and six local routes (L51, L52, L53, L54, L58 and L59). Two night-time routes (C5 and C6) will also be introduced, in addition to the new 24-hour service on the C1 and C2. These night time routes will operate hourly and follow a similar routing to the C3 and C4, but will serve Chapelizod. The C5 will also serve River Forest and Green Lane. This phase will increase the overall capacity in these areas with better all day service frequency with the combined frequency along

the spine every 8 minutes; and four routes (C1, C2, C5 and C6) that operate to the city centre through the night to assist shift workers and support the night-time economy.

Lucan including Balgaddy and Fonthill Road.

Phase 2 is also introducing several new local routes for the first time. These will significantly increase bus coverage serving more areas, with better frequency. Brand new links are being introduced around Adamstown Station, Hazelhatch Station, Lucan, Leixlip and Celbridge.

• Routes L58 and L59 provide a joint service between River Forest and Hazelhatch Station via Leixlip village and Hewlett Packard (L58) or Celbridge (L59). This provides long-requested links to rail at Hazelhatch and the first-ever all-day service in the residential areas of Celbridge.

• Routes L51 and L52 together provide a service from Adamstown Station via Dodsboro to Lucan Village and on to either Liffey Valley (L51) or Blanchardstown • (L52). This provides a new connection to rail at Adamstown Station and upgrades the current link to Blanchardstown. • Route L53 will provide a half-hourly service between Adamstown Station and Liffey Valley passing through residential areas in South

• Route L54 is new and will serve Leixlip (River Forest), Lucan, Clondalkin and the Red Cow Luas stop.

The introduction of Phase 2 will coincide with the removal of the following existing routes: 25, 25a, 25b, 25d, 25x, 66, 66a, 66b, 66e, 66n, 66x, 67, 67n and 67x operated by Dublin Bus and route 239, operated by GoAhead Ireland. There will be additional changes to some existing routes, including route 1, which will now run between Santry and the City centre and will no longer serve Sandymount, and routes 15a,

15b and 15d will no longer operate to Ringsend Road, and will instead terminate/ commence at Merrion Square.

Existing route 26 will be also be significantly enhanced to ensure capacity for Chapelizod and Islandbridge, with services running every 10 minutes at weekday peak times and every 15 minutes for the rest of the day. Some of the many benefits of the new BusConnects network include additional capacity and increased frequency, especially at evenings and weekends, and improved ticketing to allow for free interchange between services. More 24-hour services will be introduced and the programme will offer passengers more streamlined travel. Phase 2 will also see the introduction of the TFI 90 Minute Fare with your TFI Leap Card which will allow customers to interchange with other services seamlessly without having to pay extra. The TFI 90 Minute Fare will apply to most TFI Leap Card

journeys on Dublin Bus, Luas and most DART, commuter

rail and Go-Ahead Ireland services in Dublin.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE CHANGES COMING IN PHASE 2, INCLUDING ROUTE MAPS AND TIMETABLES VISIT transportforireland.ie.

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MOTION PASSED CALLING TEENSPACE AND EXTENSION TO THE PLAYSPACE ON REFORM OF AT BALLYCRAGH PARK OFFICALLY OPENS SAFE PASS At the November South Dublin County Council meeting a motion was passed calling for reform of the Safe Pass training for construction workers. The Safe Pass programme is a safety awareness programme for construction workers and all workers are required to renew their pass every 4 years. In recent years the cost of the training has been increasing and many employers do not pay for employees to attend. The motion asks for reform of the system with a view to looking at the prices and delivery of courses. People Before Profit Councillor Madeleine Johansson who put forward the motion commented: “I was contacted by construction workers in relation to this issue who are concerned that the Safe Pass course has become a money making operation for some private companies. I am also concerned about the general treatment of construction workers with regards to common malpractices such as bogus self employment and poor conditions for agency workers. “We are in the middle of a housing crisis and we need construction workers in order to build much needed housing. The average age of workers in the construction sector is increasing and we are facing a shortage of workers. Terms and conditions for workers need to improve to attract young people in to the trade, and the Safe Pass is just one of the issues highlighted to me. In the long term we need a state owned construction company that can build housing, and provide decent jobs for workers.”

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Recently the Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Councillor Peter Kavanagh officially opened the teenspace and the extension to the playspace at Ballycragh Park. Speaking at the event Mayor Cllr Peter Kavanagh said; “The physical and mental well-being of everyone is greatly enhanced by access to the outdoors,

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social contact and physical activity; and SDCC’s Teenspace Programme is directly focussed on meeting these needs. SDCC’s Teenspace Programme commenced following countywide consultations with teenagers, to find out what their needs are and how those needs can be best met in SDCC’s parks and open spaces. In Ballycragh that has resulted in the

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large numbers to include an extended playspace for younger children”. The Mayor went on to pay tribute to the local community for their support of the popular park and teenspace at Ballycragh Park, and the work of Council staff in managing the project and maintaining the teenspace and the playspace.

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SCHOOLS IN DUBLIN ARE REMINDED TO ENTER THE ACTIONTALKS COMPETITION Will 2022 be the year for a Dublin winner? Students in Dublin are being reminded to submit their entries to ActionTalks, a national speech writing competition organised by ActionAid. The competition, which opened for entries on 20th September, is aimed at secondary school students aged 14 to 17. ActionAid has already had a lot of interest from students across the country and hopes for more entrants from Dublin before Monday 17th January 2022. Entries will be submitted by email in written form and five successful entrants will go forward to the Leinster final. Two winners from Leinster will be selected to go forward to the national final and will receive a €50 One4All voucher each. At the national final in March, six finalists will be asked to present their speech to a

panel of esteemed judges. The national prize is a €500 One4All voucher for the winner and a €100 One4All voucher for their teacher. ActionAid provides long term support and focuses on the human rights of the poorest and most marginalised women and children, so they can overcome the obstacles holding them back. Its’ Women’s Rights Programme, funded by Irish Aid, works to eliminate violence against women and girls through innovative community-led approaches. Now in its eighth year, this year the competition will focus on how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted on women’s rights and how we can create a more equal world postpandemic. ActionAid is asking students to write a speech on one of three topics. Karol Balfe, CEO

of ActionAid Ireland said: ‘Young people understand well how the coronavirus pandemic has further exposed global inequalities, particularly for women. They are often inspirational voices for change on many issues and highlight the need for global solidarity in their activism. We have had a fantastic response already to the 2022 ActionTalks competition. We hope for more entries from Dublin before the deadline of 17th January 2022. This year we also introduced the regional finals for the first time, so students have another opportunity to get their voices heard.”

To enter, students can ask their teacher for details or visit https:// actionaid.ie/speechwriting-competition.

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DART+ SOUTH WEST SECOND PUBLIC CONSULTATION BEGINS Iarnród Éireann has recently commenced the second round of public consultation (PC2) on DART+ South West, part of the DART+ Programme, which seeks to electrify existing rail lines between Hazelhatch & Celbridge and Heuston Stations, and also from Heuston Station to Glasnevin, via the Phoenix Park Tunnel Branch Line, and quadruple their capacity. Funded by the National Transport Authority under Project Ireland 2040, this rail improvement project will provide a sustainable, electrified, reliable and more frequent rail service to our customers, revolutionising capacity between Hazelhatch & Celbridge station and Dublin City Centre, whilst also increasing capacity and reducing journey times for non-electrified InterCity and Commuter services. The project will; Continue the four-tracking of the rail line from Park West & Cherry Orchard Station into Heuston, extending the works completed on the route in 2009. See track improvements and bridge modifications, where necessary, to facilitate electrified train services. See the Phoenix Park Tunnel upgraded to allow for significant extra services directly into the city centre. And include the construction of a new station at Heuston West. The Preferred Option is also compatible with future stations at Kylemore and Cabra, although the construction of these stations is not part of this project. This current phase of public consultation follows on from previous public engagement which took place in Spring/Summer 2021. The project team has analysed and used the feedback received to inform the current design of the DART+ South West Preferred Option. Feedback on the Preferred Option is now invited during this period of public consultation. The knowledge and insight of customers, residents

and businesses adjacent to the route, as well as other stakeholders, will inform the design and help Iarnród Éireann to improve the project plans, ensuring that it will be beneficial for customers and the communities it will serve. The second phase of public consultation on this project is now live. It is designed to present the preferred option for provision of DART+ South West to communities and stakeholders along the route. All are encouraged to review the full details at www.dartplus.ie, which also features an interactive virtual room. Details of a dedicated phone line, email address and online feedback form are all available at dartplus.ie. Considering the ongoing Covid 19 public health risk, in person meetings of large groups will not take place. A series of webinars for those who would like to learn more about the project will commence over the coming days. Upon completion of this consultation, all submissions will be carefully considered by the project design team, and these will be used to inform the subsequent design development. Once this design work is complete, a Railway Order Application will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála in mid 2022. A statutory consultation period will take place after lodging of the application and it is expected that An Bord Pleanála will hold an oral hearing on the application, which will be open to all members of the public. Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann Jim Meade said: “This is an exciting milestone in the progress and delivery of the DART+ Programme and another step towards building a more sustainable and accessible transport network. We have listened to the public feedback from the first round of consultation, addressed their concerns and we have a great Preferred Option to present to the public

for this next round of consultation. I encourage everyone to engage with the consultation process and have your say in shaping this next stage of the transformative DART+ Programme.”

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REPORT INTO CRACK COCAINE USE MUST BE HEEDED

TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has welcomed the publication of a report into the landscape of substance misuse and its impact on many of the communities of Tallaght and Whitechurch, saying

that its findings and recommendations “should be a wake up call for the Government”. Speaking after the launch of the Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Task Force report on substance misuse and its

impact on communities this morning, Teachta Crowe, a member of Task Force, said: “Crack cocaine use is now firmly rooted in many of our communities and we can all see the detrimental impact on those communities

in terms of public order, intimidation, open drug dealing, violence, mental and physical health, child welfare, deprivation, and neglect. The drug related intimidation and alleged debt has become

RESCUE PACKAGE PROPOSALS FOR THE ARTS AND CULTURE SECTOR TD Mark Ward has called on the government to back the party’s proposed rescue package for the arts and culture sector. The document, published recently, outlines key ways to save the arts and support artists.

arts and support artists here in Dublin Mid West and across the state. We would do this through key measures, including increasing funding to the Arts Council by €4.25 million to establish a hardship fund for arts workers struggling financially.

Teachta Ward said: “We have launched our Rescue Package For Arts and Culture. It contains a range of proposals to save the arts and support artists. “Artists have been through a very difficult period and are still under huge pressure as we continue to emerge from the pandemic and the sector gets back on its feet. Shockingly, Budget 2022 failed to put in place the supports our artists need and the government even cut some crucial supports. “We are proposing a package to save the

“We are also calling for restoration of Live Performance Funding. Budget 2022 saw this funding slashed in half from €50 million to just €25 million. We would restore this funding, and broaden it to include restart supports for performing arts education, such as dance troupes, stage schools and music classes who have now endured almost 2 years away from students.

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“I believe a Rescue Package for arts and culture is long overdue given the devastating impact of the pandemic

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on such a vital part of our nation’s fabric, not to mention the role it plays in our economy here in Dublin Mid West and across Ireland. “I am calling on the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to carefully consider Sinn Féin’s proposals and to engage with our spokesperson for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, on progressing these policies. “It’s time to support artists and save the arts. The sector has endured so much in the last two years and feels abandoned by this government which has consistently failed to put in place the supports they need. “Sinn Féin will stand up for the arts and culture sector, to ensure they get the vital help they deserve.”

increasingly worse with some mothers being confronted outside of shops, post offices, and Intreo offices by dealers and their associates. “We saw the intergenerational damage that the heroin epidemic of the 80s and 90s in Dublin caused and we are only encouraging it to happen again when we strip away funding for groups that work in addiction services and have less gardaí on our streets and in our communities. “Despite a greater demand on services and an evergrowing population, the Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Task Force, which funds nine front line community addiction projects in the Tallaght/Whitechurch area, has less funding than it did in 2010. The number of people now being treated in Task Force projects in Tallaght has doubled in that period. “The Task Force is calling for an additional €1m in government funding to take on more front-line staff to

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address the crack issue, create more residential addiction, develop more direct interventions for vulnerable young people, and to fund more Gardai on the ground. “The longer we fail to act, the more families that will be locked into a generational cycle of addiction, trauma and abuse. This government, like its predecessors, is betraying a complete lack of compassion, empathy or understanding of the depth of the crisis facing many of our most vulnerable communities if they do not take this evidence-based report and its recommendations to heart and take immediate action.”

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NEW SOCIAL HOUSING BUILD TARGET FOR SOUTH DUBLIN

Under the new Housing for All plan all local authorities across the republic have been issued with updated social housing construction targets. The new targets for 2022-2026 will see 9 500 new social housing homes every year nationally. South Dublin County Council’s target for the period will be 3 287 homes. The figure includes new builds by Approved Housing Bodies as well as direct builds by the council. People Before Profit Councillor for Palmerstown-Fonthill Madeleine Johansson has raised concerns with how these targets will be met. Cllr Madeleine Johansson

commented: “I’m very concerned about how South Dublin County Council can achieve the targets set out under the plan. Considering that the new build total in 2020 was only 370 homes of which 105 were Part V units provided by private developers. This means that there’s a long way to go to meet the annual target of about 650 homes.

“Up to now, the council has mainly built very small numbers of homes on infill sites in existing estates. Large sites, such as Kilcarbery and Killinarden, have been sold off to private developers for a small percentage of

social housing. We need a complete change in how public land is used in order to meet these targets. We need to use the vast tracts of council owned lands in the Clonburris SDZ for social and affordable housing only in order to tackle the housing crisis. “Even if the targets set down by the government are met, it will not be enough to meet demand. There are currently about 10 000 households, if you include the HAP transfer list, on the social housing waiting list. To really provide housing for all we need a complete change in housing policy, both nationally and locally.”

LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHERS SHARE WINNING IMAGES Palmerstown Camera Club was treated to some wonderful images from Brian Hopper a professional

photographer based in Blackrock, Co Louth recently. He is a landscape photographer and has been

involved in photography for over forty years. A few weeks back the club held their Nature competition which featured some super shots from club members. Winners included Orla Brady won the colour novice competition for her image titled “I Spy” and Miriam Power won with image titled “Puffin with sand eels” in the intermediate colour competition. People interested in joining the club or even attending one or two meetings free of charge to see how their photography could benefit from being a member can do so by contacting secpcc@ mail.com.

UNDERSTAFFING IN DUBLIN FIRE BRIGADE PUTS US ALL AT RISK A Workers’ Party representative has called for an increase in recruitment to Dublin Fire Brigade after a number of fire engines were unused on Halloween night due to understaffing. David Gardiner is a firefighter, trade unionist and the Workers’ Party representative in Palmerstown-Fonthill. He said: “Understaffing in Dublin Fire Brigade puts extra pressure and stress on firefighters by stretching our resources, which in turn endangers members of the public.” “We had 133 Halloween-related

fires this year on top of our usual work, and yet at one stage we had three trucks off the road, two of which were because of the low staffing levels while a third was attacked.” “It might not sound like much, but having three trucks off the road could make a difference in how quickly a fire or an ambulance case in your house is attended to.” “The Workers’ Party is calling for an increase in recruitment into Dublin Fire Brigade to ensure safe staffing levels in order to properly serve the people and communities of Dublin.”

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DUBLIN ANNOUNCED AS FINALIST FOR EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF INNOVATION AWARDS Dublin has been shortlisted for the 2021 European Capital of Innovation (iCapital) awards. The iCapital awards recognise cities across Europe that best promote and foster innovation. The top prize for the competition is €1million, with €100,000 for the two runners-up. This year’s finalists are Dublin (Ireland), Dortmund (Germany), Malaga (Spain) and Vilnius (Lithuania) and the competition winner will be announced on November 24th as part of the European

Innovation Council Summit 2021. Past winners include Leuven, Nantes, Athens and Amsterdam.

The 2021 competition recognises cities that contribute to developing local ‘innovation ecosystems’ for the benefit of innovators and the wellbeing of their citizens. Dublin City Council’s application focused on a number of innovative initiatives happening across the city, including Smart Dublin’s Smart District programmes, universities and research centres, start-

up hubs and innovative procurement approaches, like Enterprise Ireland’s Small Business Innovation Research. In particular, Dublin’s application highlighted the wealth of innovation stakeholders working in partnership with the City Council’s smart city programme, including: Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, Dublin City University, Insight Research Centre, Connect Research Centre, Enable Research Centre,

FÁILTE IRELAND INVESTMENT TURNS HISTORY AND HERITAGE INTO MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES

Minister Catherine Martin TD and Fáilte Ireland recently announced that €1.7 million worth of enhancement work will soon be completed on 10 Dublin visitor attractions which will create new immersive experiences that bring to life stories that have shaped Ireland’s history and culture. The investment was made through Fáilte Ireland’s Dublin Surprising Stories Scheme and focuses on bringing the story of Dublin to life using interactive technology, audio visual and improved foreign language provision. These enhancements will make the 10 attractions more accessible to international visitors as Dublin looks to once again compete as a leading global visitor destination post-Covid while also appealing to domestic victors and families over the winter months. Recipients of the funding include Clondalkin Round Tower which were awarded €51,000. Clondalkin Round Tower have brought stories about monastic life and the Round Towers of Ireland. The project includes multi-lingual audio tours and improve interpretation in the garden by introducing signage to inform visitors what plants and herbs were used within monastic life. A heated outdoor area will offer a multipurpose space.

the Digital Hub, Dogpatch Labs, Dublin Port and Smart Dublin.

Alison Gilliland, Lord Mayor of Dublin, said, “The Smart Dublin team has worked tirelessly and passionately since their establishment in 2016 to build our innovative capacities and co-create solutions to real Dublin challenges with citizens, stakeholders and the tech sector. Our city has benefited enormously from their work. To reach the final of this prestigious European competition is something we as a city can be very, very proud of!” Jamie Cudden, Dublin City Council Smart City Programme Manager, who coordinated Dublin’s application said, “We’re very proud to have made it to the final of the European Capital of Innovation Awards. Our application really focused on showcasing the breath of innovation happening

in Dublin. From our Smart District programmes, where the City Council and partners fast-track innovation projects, to Dogpatch Labs, home to some of Ireland’s most innovative, high-potential start-ups, there is so much exciting work to be proud of across Dublin. At the core of the application was how the city’s “innovation ecosystem”, a network of many different stakeholders – community groups, companies, NGOs, researchers, public bodies – are exploring new technology, new processes, new services and new ways of working, to build a better, greener, more inclusive and resilient city.” Professor Linda Doyle, Trinity College Provost, said, “It is fantastic that Dublin has been shortlisted for the European Capital of Innovation Awards 2021. We work closely with Dublin City Council on a number

of projects and I am proud to have supported this application. Collaboration is the hallmark of Dublin’s impressive innovation ecosystem: so many people, groups and organisations are working together to address city challenges, including our own worldleading researchers here in Trinity. This collaborative approach is key to ensuring the solutions are inclusive, innovative and effective. ”

Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said, “The finalist cities test new innovative concepts on a large scale and join the group of pioneering cities that actively push boundaries of urban innovation. These cities can be an inspiration for others to make the community of innovative cities grow.”

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LEO SOUTH DUBLIN ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021-2024 LAUNCHES Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD recently visited the South Dublin Local Enterprise Office (LEO) as part of a series of visits by the Minister, who is keen to engage with the LEO teams and their client companies throughout the country. The Minister was greeted at County Hall, Tallaght by the Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Peter Kavanagh; Chief Executive, Daniel McLoughlin and other senior officials including members of the Evaluation and Approvals Committee, Strategic Policy Committee, Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development (EETD), and Peter Byrne of South Dublin Chamber.

profile events.

Minister English was given presentations on the latest developments in the South Dublin region and proceedings concluded with the launch of the LEO South Dublin Enterprise Development Plan 20212024 by the Minister, who said “There are some hugely positive developments going on here in the South Dublin area. In large urban areas close collaboration and cooperation are vital in order to maximise resources and ensure the best possible outcomes for the local economy. It is very evident that is happening here. The Local Enterprise Office plays a key role in this and the support they give businesses whether it is with upskilling, mentoring, training or in other practical ways has proved invaluable over the last 19 months. That role will be even more important now that we are in the recovery phase and businesses continue to stabilise and grow.”

OneSonic - specialise in wireless noise cancelling headphones and earphones with the technology used in the products developed in Ireland.

Minister English was accompanied by LEO Head of Enterprise, Tom Rooney, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, Justin Mulhern and Business Advisor, Peter Connolly, as they met with a number of Local Enterprise Office client companies during the day, including: High Res Lighting - provide virtual production, lighting design and creative services to clients including municipal authorities and the film and television industry and have been involved in many high

Mama Nagi - produce authentic chilli pastes which have no additives or preservatives. Acorn Educational - involved in the Research and Design of resources for children with additional needs, to teachers, parents, creches and Montessori schools. BiaBelle - produce vegan friendly and cruelty free tanning and beauty products which are extremely nourishing to the skin. Picado - produce Fresh Masa, which is maize dough used to make corn tortillas and many other corn-based dishes in Mexican cuisine.

English said, “I have really enjoyed engaging with so many local companies today and seeing the hugely diverse range of business they are involved in. There is a real sense of energy and positivity and I am delighted that the Government can assist many of them through a range of supports and funding. The Edge too is a wonderful facility and I am delighted that my Department recognised its huge potential when providing funding of nearly €1.4m to what is an excellent project.

Stride Bootwear - produce quality leather equestrian footwear and has recently expanded into the U.S. and Canadian markets. The Artisan Pizza Company - manufacture high-quality sourdough pizza bases and associated products for distribution to the retail and food service markets, including Dunnes Stores, Tesco and Supervalu. Minister English’s final engagement was a visit to The Edge Enterprise Centre where he was given a tour of the facility and an update on the latest and future developments by the Social and Local Enterprise Alliance. The Alliance is a collaboration of the South Dublin County Council and LEO, South Dublin Chamber and Partas and was established to deliver a new collaborative approach to start-up incubation in the area. The Edge project received funding of almost €1.4 million from the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) and Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme (RETS) and provides an ideal location for entrepreneurs and start-up’s looking for a professional, supportive and friendly environment to develop their businesses. On conclusion engagements

of his Minister

Ballymount & Rathcoole Positions: - Sales Assistants - Food Team Members - Night Shift Operator Location: Ballymount

Positions: - Burger King Supervisor - Burger King Crew Members Location: Rathcoole

Send your CV to jobs@applegreen.ie or drop into the store to speak to a manager

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NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK MAKES HOSPITAL LESS SCARY FOR CHILD PATIENTS AND SIBLINGS

‘Gerry Giraffe Goes To Hospital’, a children’s illustrated book written by mother of two Valerie Judge during lockdown, demystifies the experience of child patients. The full colour book has been launched in aid of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation. ‘Gerry Giraffe Goes To Hospital’ is aimed at reassuring sick children and their siblings about hospital medical procedures. Valerie Judge, a management consultant who has returned to her artistic roots, wrote and illustrated ‘Gerry Giraffe Goes to Hospital’ during the pandemic lockdown. The book is inspired by Valerie’s daughter Anna Rose McKeever who trained in CHI Crumlin and is now a cardiac children’s nurse at Great Ormond Street hospital in London and knows all about the anxieties children may have when going to hospital. Anna-Rose has first-hand knowledge of procedures facing some sick children. She herself underwent treatment for Hodgkins lymphoma cancer last year. Happily, Anna-Rose is now all clear and back to work in Great Ormond Street. The

full colour illustrated book is on sale from Amazon at €20, with proceeds from the sales going to the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation. Jack & Jill child, Ava Kenny who is aged six and from Athy in Kildare, kindly helped out at the photoshoot to launch the book at the Gutter Bookshop in Dalkey, in Dublin, where it is also on sale. In his first illustrated adventure, Gerry Giraffe suffers from that old ailment ‘a bendy neck’ and has to visit hospital, where he undergoes all sorts of tests and procedures, such as an x-ray and a scan. The book is designed to help children understand the process of being a patient attending hospital, sometimes more than once. It is also a handy illustrative explainer for siblings at home who may be wondering what’s going on. “Attending hospital can be daunting for any patient and that applies even more so for children,” said author and artist Valerie Judge. “Procedures such as x-rays or scans can be bewildering or even sometimes frightening,” she added. “So, I thought why not draw a fun story to explain the mysteries of it

all?” “In ‘Gerry Giraffe Goes To Hospital’, Gerry and his bendy neck meet Nurse Anna and her friends at the hospital. He learns about scans and x-rays, and he gets a spin in a wheelie chair. He may not be completely fixed on his first visit, but he is well looked after, and looks forward to his next visit.” “Anna-Rose pointed out to me that in actual fact, it is often the family left worrying at home who could do with a bit of an explainer as to what is going on in the hospital. I really hope this book and Gerry’s adventures will go a long way to help those families. We’ve been touched by serious illness in our own family, and that is why all profits from this edition are going to the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation,” continued Valerie.

The Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation is an Irish children’s charity that funds and delivers specialist home nursing and end-oflife care for children from birth to six years of age who have highly complex and life-limiting medical conditions. Each €18 raised funds one hour of home nursing care. For Jack & Jill parents, this ‘Gift of Time’

means precious moments to participate in the normal things that most of us take for granted – whether it’s spending some quality time with a sibling, grabbing a quick coffee with a friend, taking a walk or simply having a nap to recharge. Carmel Doyle, CEO of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation, commented,

“We are delighted that ‘Gerry Giraffe’ will be helping children across Ireland and further afield to understand what might happen if they need to visit the hospital, which can be a very daunting experience. Our mission at Jack & Jill is to empower parents to care for their child at home, because there is no care like home care. However,

sometimes, sick children need to visit hospital for procedures or checkups, and it’s important to help the child or their siblings, cousins and friends, to navigate this experience. We are thrilled that Valerie chose to support Jack & Jill with this wonderful book and encourage anyone with young children in their life to purchase it.”

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SLIMMING WORLD GROUPS ARE BACK AND READY TO WELCOME NEW, EXISTING AND REJOINING MEMBERS! The past 19 months have been so tough for everyone in so many different ways and now as we are starting to emerge from the pandemic the local Slimming

World Consultants are so excited to welcome you to group! Groups are running again with shorter times and members are loving the positive changes as they get all the help and support they need in a shorter time frame. Group is where the magic happens and with tons of support and motivation along with good fun it’s 40 mins invested in you to achieve your goals. Each venue are adhering to all guidelines and safety standards. Masks are mandatory along with a Covid cert. And Hygiene measures are also in place

St Annes GAA Club, Bohernabreena Times: Tuesday at 9.30am, 11am, 5.00pm & 6.30pm Contact Miriam: 087 970 3016

to keep everyone safe. If you miss seeing your Slimming World friends or you have any questions please feel free to contact your local consultant and they will be so happy to help. Their Food optimising plan is the best there is, all the family can eat the same meals including chips, burgers, spaghetti bolognese, lasagne, curry and all really tasty food to keep you satisfied. There is still time to drop a dress size for Christmas, so don’t delay any longer, get ahead of the January rush and make that call . You will be so happy you did.

The Iona Centre, Knocklyon Times: Thursday at 5.00pm & 6.30pm Contact Miriam: 087 970 3016

Tallaght Cross Hotel, Tallaght Times: Thursday at 9.30 & 11am Contact Pauline: 085 770 4751

St Mary’s Rugby Club, Templeogue Times: Wednesday at 9.30am, 11am, 5.30pm & 7pm. Contact Pauline: 085 770 4751

Maldron Hotel, Tallaght Times: Monday at 3:30pm 5:00pm & 6:30pm Times: Tuesday morning at 9:30 am. Contact Pamela 086 123 1774

Tallaght Cross Hotel, Tallaght Times: Saturday at 7:30am, 8:30am, 9:30am & 10:30am Contact Christine 086 088 5142

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JOHN QUINLAN GIVES, IT’S TIME TO GIVE BACK John Quinlan is a longstanding resident of Clondalkin and active mentor in Round Tower GAA Club with his wife Angela also a mentor and their four young children (Kitty 13, Tom 11, Mary 8 and Sorcha 5) all playing on club teams. John is originally a native of Tipperary, with a successful playing career with Moyne/ Templetouhy GAA Club. He also played and assisted with the Round Tower Adult Junior hurling teams over many years. When the clubs children needed coaches at the nursery John and Angela gave their time. When the U8s, U11, U13s needed coaching for hurling, camogie and

football - John and Angela gave and continue to give their time. When Round Tower GAA Club needed help on organising committees John and Angela gave their time.

and this is where your support is really needed.

John has been diagnosed with a tumour in his liver and he is currently undergoing medical treatment that involves costly ongoing biopsies which can only be analysed abroad, these are critical in determining John’s future course of treatment.

The goal of Round Tower GAA Club is to raise €25,000 to contribute to John’s health care and associated costs. Join them on the 20th November 2021 to help raise some vital funds for John & Angela’s journey. On this day, Round Tower GAA will host a festival of GAA games against teams from Moyne/ Templetouhy GAA Club, the U8’s Girls, U11’s Boys, U13 Girls and Adult teams will participate.

John is a dedicated family man and for John “home is where the heart is”. He is the primary financial provider in the household

These games will take place in Monastery Road GAA facilities, Clondalkin. There will also be a host of other fun activities arranged on

the day. This fundraiser is being organised by family, friends and the wider GAA

community. Thank you very much for your support! For more information

or donate please see w w w. g o f u n d m e . c o m / f / johnquinlan.

MAYOR OFFICIALLY OPENS THE MARK LITTLE AND STEPHEN O’LEARY TEENSPACE AT COLLINSTOWN RECEIVE AWARDS FROM GRIFFITH COLLEGE PARK On Thursday 28th October the Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Councillor Peter Kavanagh officially opened the teenspace at Collinstown Park. Speaking at the event Mayor Cllr Peter Kavanagh said; “The physical and mental well-being of teenagers is greatly enhanced by access to the outdoors, social contact and physical activity; and SDCC’s Teenspace Programme is directly focussed on meeting these needs. SDCC’s Teenspace Programme commenced following countywide consultations with teenagers, to find out what their needs are and how those needs can be best met in SDCC’s parks and open spaces. Our teenagers told us that they wanted safe spaces to meet with their friends and wanted to engage in a range of unstructured physical activities. Teenagers showed a strong preference for self-directed activity over organised activities. Encouraging physical activity in any form is extremely important for physical and mental health we thought very important to listen to teenagers about the types of activity that particularly appeal to them”. The Mayor went on to pay tribute to the local community for their support of the popular park and teenspace at Collinstown Park, and the work of Council staff in managing the project and maintaining the teenspace.

Pictured Cllr Peter Kavanagh Mayor of South Dublin with Cllr Madeleine Johansson, Clle Eoin O’Broin, Cllr Joanna Tuffy, Mark Ward TD and Teresa Walsh (SDCC Director of Service) along with members of SDCC Parks Dept at the official opening of the Teen Space in Collinstown Park, Clondalkin

Pictured above Stephen O’Leary, Managing Director of data analytics company Olytico receiving his Professional Excellence Award from President of Griffith College, Prof Diarmuid Hegarty at the College’s graduation ceremony in Dublin. Griffith College held its largest series of graduations over five days this year to facilitate graduates from 2021 and from 2020 in recognition of the milestone these students missed due to the pandemic.

Pictured Mark Little, broadcaster, author and Managing Director of Kinzen receiving his Professional Excellence Award from President of Griffith College, Prof Diarmuid Hegarty at the College’s graduation ceremony in Dublin. Griffith College held its largest series of graduations over five days this year to facilitate graduates from 2021 and from 2020 in recognition of the milestone these students missed due to the pandemic.

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UNDERAGE PLAYERS LOCKED OUT OF INDOOR SPORT DUE TO SPORT IRELAND RULES

Dublin Mid-West TD, Deputy Emer Higgins has called on the Taoiseach to engage with Sport Ireland to ensure those who play underage sport can continue to train and play matches indoors. This comes amidst Sport Ireland’s new covid-19 guidelines which require

anyone playing indoor sports to be fully vaccinated or have a valid covid-19 certificate.

Celtics Basketball Club and the Dublin Lions based in Lucan and Clondalkin. Raising the issue in the Dáil, Deputy Higgins told the Taoiseach: “It’s a matter that’s been brought to my attention by many constituents across Lucan and Clondalkin, and these

new regulations mean that only those who can present a valid Covid-19 certificate or proof of recovery from covid can train or play matches indoors. “And that’s regardless of whether a vaccine has been offered to their age cohort,” continued Deputy Higgins.

THE PINERGY ALL-IRELAND SCHOOLS CUP

“The decision has blindsided many younger players and their coaches,” said Deputy Higgins. “And while I fully believe that vaccination is the best way to protect us from Covid-19, it’s unfair

Deputy Higgins said these new regulations were having adverse effects on underage players in local clubs such as the Liffey

Pictured are current Irish international basketball players and former Schools Cup stars Sorcha Tiernan and Conor Quinn pictured alongside Daire Murray of Templeogue College and Kelly Bracken of Coláiste Chiaráin Leixlip at the launch of the Pinergy All-Ireland Schools Cup at the National Basketball Arena. As Basketball Ireland’s Official Energy and Insights Partner since 2018, this is Pinergy’s first year #PoweringTheDifference for the marquee schools competition in Ireland which will see almost 150 schools battle it out in the coming weeks for a place at the Cup finals in Tallaght in January 2022. Pic Credit INPHO/Dan Sheridan

to discriminate against children who may not get to make the decision on vaccination for themselves, and particularly those under 12 who do not have the option yet. “They can go to school and to the cinema, they can go dancing or swimming and they can go to restaurants and many other places. So, it’s not fair to single out basketball and other indoor sports in this way.” “Many local players and parents have been in touch

with me about this, a lot of whom have actually made the decision to vaccinate themselves and their children but they feel the regulations are unfair on other children who do not have the option, which I respect,” said Deputy Higgins. “I have asked the Taoiseach to engage with Sport Ireland on this and I believe he will speak to Minister Jack Chambers about it to find a solution for underage players which I hope will be resolved soon,” concluded Deputy Higgins.

DUBLIN MINOR CAMOGIE NA FIANNA V FAUGHS CELTIC

Niamh McGeough Na fianna in action against Ciara Dixon Faughs Celtic. Dublin Camogie Div 6 Minor Championship, Na Fianna v Faughs Celtic at Collinstown Pitches. Full Time Score : Na Fianna 6.01 v Faughs Celtic 6.05 Picture Credit : iLivephotos.com

Would your local club like to be featured in this newspaper and online at www.newsgroup.ie? Send your pictures, match reports or match information to info@newsgroup.ie

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MOTORING LIFE

WITH

TOYOTA RAV4 BLACK EDITION GETS SPORTY

By Breda Corrigan Toyota has added the new RAV4 Sport Black Edition to its hugelypopular mid-size SUV line-up, which – as the name suggests – comes with a range of black cosmetic tweaks. Upgrades over the standard RAV4 Sport include new 19” black painted alloy wheels, black painted upper front grille, Intelligent Clearance Sonar, and light grey stitching on the instrument panel and front seats. Available exclusively in Attitude Black paintwork, the new Sport Black Edition brings a distinctive sporty look to Toyota’s fifthgeneration RAV4, and is available in front-wheel-drive (FWD) guise only. However, for buyers looking for the added security of an allwheel-drive (AWD) drivetrain in their new RAV4, there is the option of AWD in Sol, Sport and Platinum variants, while the entry-level Luna model is FWD only. Petrol/Electric Powertrain. Like every variant in the RAV4 range, the Sport Black Edition is powered by a 2.5-litre fourcylinder petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, which produces 218bhp and 221Nm of torque and enables the five-seat family SUV to sprint from 0-100km/h in just over 8 seconds. Standard across the entire RAV4 range is a suite of safety features which offer maximum protection for all occupants, while providing the RAV4 driver with the latest

technology in driver assistance systems. Collectively called Toyota Safety Sense 2 (TSS2), features include Pre-Collision Assistance (Forward Collision Warning, Pre-Crash Brake Assist, and Autonomous Emergency Braking), Speed Assistance (Road Sign Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control), Lane Keeping (Lane Departure Alert, LDA with Steering Assist, and Lane Tracing Assist) and Automatic High Beam Assist. Gracious Interior.

Exterior,

Spacious

The exterior design of the new RAV4 is more appealing and less anonymous that its predecessor, and this is gained by way of boxy wheel arches, a squaredoff nose with a large grille, and angular edges and creases in the bodywork. I feel that Toyota has done a great job of making the new RAV4 look and feel more ‘premium’ than ever, while also offering more interior space than any of its predecessors. Cabin quality is exceptional, with sturdy and durable materials used throughout, while overall passenger space is generous in every respect. This has been made possible by placing the front and rear axles 30mm further apart than before, and even tall adults will be able to sit in the rear seats comfortably,

with plenty of legroom and headroom on offer. The RAV4’s battery is located under the floor, but its boxy dimensions help to hide it well, with a slightly higher boot floor the only clue to what lies beneath. Compared to its predecessor, the RAV4’s boot capacity has grown to 580-litres (an increase of 79-litres), with a massive 1,690-litres available when the rear seats are folded down. The RAV4 was awarded a full five stars by Euro NCAP in 2019 and that was thanks in part to an upgrade to the second-generation of Toyota Safety Sense for the latest model. Test Car. My test car was a RAV4 Sport Black Edition which drew lots of admiring glances due to its terrific road presence and distinctive design details. An impressive array of standard equipment includes TEX leather black upholstery with heated front seats, powered driver seat, auto-dimming interior mirror, front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera, auto lights and wipers, LED front light guide with daytime running lights, LED projector headlights, electrically operated boot door, 8” Toyota Touch™ multimedia system, dual zone climate control, rear privacy glass, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, black headliner cloth, paddle shift, light blue ambient lighting, and illuminated

entry along with many more comfort, convenience, safety and infotainment features. As is the case across all models in the RAV4 line-up, fuel consumption as low as 5.7l/100km is achievable on a WLTP combined driving cycle, while Co2 emissions of between 129 and 133g/km (FWD and AWD respectively) ensures low annual road tax in addition to low overall running costs. Toyota’s advanced hybrid technology ensures that the RAV4’s petrol engine and electric motor combine seamlessly to deliver extra performance and outstanding fuel efficiency, while remaining ultra-smooth and extremely quiet when driving in electric mode. Toyota claim that up to 50% of the time you drive a Toyota Hybrid, you are in electric mode, with the added advantage that you never have to plug the car in to charge the battery. Toyota’s self-charging hybrid harvests the energy normally lost from deceleration and braking into a small battery. This unit doesn’t have enough capacity to propel the RAV4 alone for any considerable distance, but it does offer the convenience of being able to charge itself without any input from the driver. The RAV4 sits on Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which is also used in the Toyota Prius, C-HR and Corolla models. It brings big benefits in ride and handling, with more sophisticated suspension than the old model, so

the RAV4 is capable of turning into corners with a surprising amount of poise and precision, with plenty of grip while resisting dramatic levels of body lean. The RAV4’s CVT (automatic) transmission is smooth and slick in its operation, while a well-insulated cabin ensures that on-road refinement is top class. When travelling through towns and cities at low speed, the RAV4’s electric motor is barely audible, with the engine shutting off entirely when stationary in traffic. At motorway cruising speeds, the RAV4 settles into a quiet hum, with only small amounts of tyre and wind noise getting through to the cabin. Verdict, Cost and Warranty. With its unique and distinctive modern styling, faultless build quality, impressive tally of standard equipment and frugal petrol/electric hybrid technology, the new RAV4 has all the necessary ingredients to comfortably fulfil the needs of a growing family. While the new RAV4 Sport Black Edition represents great value at €44,700 the RAV4 range starts at just €39,120. The new Toyota RAV4 is backed by a 3-year/100,000km warranty, along with a 5-year/100,000km warranty on hybrid components. Additionally, a hybrid battery warranty of up to an incredible 15-years is available upon completing an annual hybrid health check through Toyota’s nationwide dealer network.

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TWO-THIRDS OF DRIVERS DO NOT PLAN TO BUY ANOTHER STANDARD PETROL OR DIESEL CAR Only one-third of drivers plan to buy another standard petrol or diesel car, according to a recent poll by AA Ireland, but most of those who change will choose a hybrid rather than a fully electric car. The majority of the 8,241 drivers surveyed said that their next vehicle would not be a traditional ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle, but most are still reluctant to move to a fully electric vehicle. The majority of the drivers polled currently own a petrol (39%) or diesel (51%) car, and just 34% of these drivers said they would buy another such vehicle. However, those who intend to change are three times more likely to pick a hybrid vehicle than a full EV. 2 in 5 (40%) of the current ICE drivers will go for a hybrid car next, compared

to just 1 in 8 (12.5%) who say they’ll pick an EV.

“It appears that drivers are still reluctant to make the move to a full Electric Vehicle”, said AA spokesperson Lauren Beehan. “Most say they would choose a hybrid - but this could be a stepping stone to buying a full EV in years to come, as current hybrid drivers are more than twice as likely to buy an EV for their next vehicle as petrol and diesel drivers are. It seems those who have already made the switch to a hybrid or an EV are generally very happy with their choice, and almost none plan to go back to a fully ICE vehicle.” 90% of current EV owners plan to buy another EV, and 99% would not go back to ICE. 1 in 3 current hybrid owners says they will move to

fully electric next time, while a further 60% plan to buy another hybrid. Only 1.8% of hybrid drivers say they are planning to buy a traditional petrol/diesel vehicle again.

The most common factors in choosing not to buy an EV were the high purchase price of these vehicles (67%), worries about the range (46%), fear that charging takes too long (31%) and the lack of regular access to a charger (30%). On foot of the publication of the Government’s Climate Action Plan last week, which has cemented lofty targets for EV penetration in the Irish market, there are concerns voiced about the acquisition of this technology. “The price of a new EV is still a major stumbling block for drivers, and many comments expressed concerns about the small size of the second-

hand market in Ireland so far. Almost 90% of those polled believe that EVs need to become cheaper to purchase, and over three quarters would support increased government grants to purchase an EV”, added Beehan. “Other common concerns that people told us about were the conditions of the current charging network, fears of electricity shortages in the future, and the range of the vehicles.” Notably, around two-thirds of respondents said they drive less than 200km in an average week, which would be well within the range of most EVs on the market. 69% of those who are planning to buy an EV travel less than 200km a week, compared to 62% of those who say they would not buy one. Others mentioned that they had environmental doubts, mainly around the disposal

of batteries and the fact that the national grid still uses fossil fuels to generate electricity.

to needing to tow a trailer or horsebox, or needing a wheelchair accessible vehicle).

A small number commented that they were waiting for newer technology, such as hydrogen vehicles, and several said there is no suitable EV for the vehicle type they need (mainly due

9 in 10 also want to see more public chargers installed, but fewer than 2 in 5 would support nonfinancial incentives for EV owners, such as access to bus lanes.

NEW OPEL MOKKA-E WINS GOLDEN STEERING WHEEL 2021 AWARD The daring all-new Opel Mokka-e has won the German “Golden Steering Wheel 2021” award, defeating strong competition and claiming one of the most prestigious prizes in the automotive industry as “Best Car under €25,000”. The all-electric, zero emissions vehicle from Opel won much praise from the experts and readers of AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG to take the coveted prize. The Mokka-e seamlessly continues Opel’s series success in this award, for the second year in a row. Last year, the battery-electric Opel Corsa-e brought a “Golden Steering Wheel” accolade to Opel’s headquarters in Rüsselsheim. Following in the footsteps of the Ampera-e which won in 2017 and the Corsa-e, the Mokka-e is now the third electric model and the first SUV from Opel, to take the coveted title. Uwe Hochgeschurtz, Opel CEO, speaking from last night’s award ceremony in Berlin’s Axel Springer Haus, said: “Our Opel Mokka-e is

everything but ordinary, and proved it once again at this year’s ‘Golden Steering Wheel’ awards. With stateof-the-art technologies and uncompromising design, the Mokka-e makes e-mobility fun in every way. We are very pleased that our customers, the readers of AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG, as well as the expert jury see it the same way.”

are first to vote. They elect their three favourite models in each category, sending them to the final. At the DEKRA Lausitzring, a prominent jury of experts consisting of journalists, racing drivers and car experts will then assess the individual finalists according

to criteria based on the AUTO BILD test scheme. Boasting the striking new Opel Vizor brand face on the outside and the fully digital Pure Panel on the inside, the new Mokka-e impresses immediately with its bold and pure

design, but also with its performance. The electric motor with 100 kW/136 hp and 260 Newton meters of maximum torque delivers a powerful, almost silent drive. Thanks to the 50kWh battery, up to 338km are possible without a charging stop (WLTP). A state-of-the-

The Opel Mokka-e is the latest in a proud line of “Golden Steering Wheel” award winners from Opel. The award, which has been presented since 1976 by BILD am SONNTAG and from 2009 in cooperation with AUTO BILD has now been won by the brand with Blitz for the 19th time. It all started in 1978 with the Opel Senator A, quickly followed by wins for legendary Opel models including Kadett, Ascona, Calibra, Omega, Vectra, Zafira, Astra and Meriva, marking over four decades of successful wins for Opel. On the way to the “Golden Steering Wheel” victory, the readers of AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG

Uwe Hochgeschurtz, Opel CEO, proudly accepts the Golden Steering Wheel 2021 award for the all-new Mokka-e.

art regenerative braking system makes the Mokka-e even more efficient, allowing the electric vehicle to recuperate energy during deceleration or braking. The battery can be quickly recharged up to 80 per cent in 30 minutes at a 100 kW DC charging station.

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