Action plan for Cherry Orchard out of €900k pot

By Maurice Garvey

EXCESS money from Dublin City Council’s budget has been put to good use so far, with over €900k allocated for groups, clubs and organisations in the Dublin South Central area over the last year.

Now, part of the fund will be going towards an action plan for Cherry Orchard, a community which has suffered from chronic underinvestment.

Cherry Orchard Project Manager David O’Donovan is behind the project, and said the key to its success will be in involving local people in the plans.

“It is community-led, working with agencies but from the bottom up,” he said.

“As part of the project we have discretionary funding and local people will come up with ideas to physically improve the area. We hope locals will then take ownership of this.”

A meeting was held this week between residents of Cherry Orchard and DCC.

Sinn Féin Councillor Daithí Doolan said: “It is part of the public engagement which will lay the foundation for the plan to redevelop Cherry Orchard. DCC have employed a consultant to go out and meet more residents, services, youth groups and residents’ groups.

“It was great to hear residents of all ages outline what they want. We must ensure that this plan does not gather dust in someone’s office.”

Residents are encouraged by Mr O’Donovan to submit their ideas on improving their area to celebratecherryorchard@gmail.com email or drop it into The Orchard Community Centre.

Individual applications are not accepted because DCC want people working together on proposals to strengthen their ideas.