€281m budget boost for local communities

TALLAGHT could be in line for the development of a heritage and museum centre, with South Dublin County Council proposing €1m for the project in its Draft Budget 2022.

It forms part of the draft annual council budget 2022, which overall, provides for a total expenditure of €281,713,700.

This represents an increase of five per cent on 2021, which is primarily associated with increased activity in housing services across the county, including HAP, obligations under the national wage agreement, and cost increases associated with new developments.

A heritage and historical centre in Tallaght, has long been an ambition of the council, according to the draft report.

It says: “An initial budget of €1m has been provided for this purpose and a project brief will be agreed with members over the coming month.”

The Echo understands no location has been determined yet as a site for the centre.

Members will vote on all of the measures outlined in the Draft Budget 2022, including proposals for the heritage centre, at the annual council budget meeting on Thursday (Nov 18).

Cllr Mick Duff (Lab), said he can’t see any objections to the proposal.

“Cllr Charlie O’Connor (FF) has been pushing for a heritage centre for a while now, and Cllr Teresa Costello (FF) was looking for a museum in the County Development Plan,” he said.

“Then we were told, they (council) were not opposed to a heritage centre.”

No specifics have been discussed as of yet, but Cllr Duff believes the museum part should be county and the heritage focused on Tallaght.

“If we go for it, it will likely have to be in one of our buildings or it may well end up in Tymon Park or Sean Walsh Park.”

Other significant provisions in Budget 2022 are €1m for new community centres in Newcastle and Citywest, and €650,000 for a linear walk along Whitestown Stream in Tallaght.

Meanwhile, €500,000 has been included for the continuation of the N81 Enhancement project, along with €500,000 to implement plans for St Cuthbert’s Park in Clondalkin, and €500,000 to advance development of Rathfarnham Castle Stables, which has been on hold.

Clondalkin village will benefit from a €500,000 financial boost for the village

Another €500,000 is geared towards the regeneration of Clondalkin Town Centre. A plan in this regard will be prepared in conjunction with the preparation of the Local Area Plan in 2022.

Key priorities in the approach to Budget 2022 include retention and investment in front line services to cater for an “ever increasing population”.

This includes €429,000 to cover the cost of 20 seasonal workers to assist with litter management, grass cutting, tree management will receive an extra €500,000, and grass cutting has been increased by €412,000.

Included in the draft is €2,500,000 which “must be contributed by the council to the regional homeless service”, and €22,234,800 to Dublin City Council for the provision of the fire service in 2022.

The fire services budget increases by €912,000 compared to 2021.

Library operations expenditure has increased by €339,000, animal welfare is supported by an additional €153,000, and wildflower planting and maintenance receives a further €100,000.

Other key priorities for the council are housing, climate action, community infrastructure and planning for the future, and continued support of “proactive community initiatives”.

In housing, €1,400,000 has been provided to further supplement the maintenance budget, and an additional €1,000,000 in the pre-let repairs budget.

Over €3,000,000 in community supports are provided for.

This includes a complete review of community centres and their operation with €500,000 provided to support the outcomes and recommendations of this study.

New community centres for expanded communities are deemed critical.

In parks and amenities, plans already agreed for Corkagh and Killinarden Parks represent an investment of over €5m.

The opening of the new €5m park at Tandy’s Lane in Adamstown, will be followed by Airlie Park next year.

Supporting economic development and tourism, the council will seek to raise additional supports for the Dublin Mountains Project, the Tallaght Innovation Centre, various greenway projects, the expansion of Grange Castle and the Business Support Programme.

The renewal and upgrade of Lucan Village Centre will go to planning before the year end as part of the “Destination Town” designation.

A provision of €546,500 has been included for social inclusion initiatives, while Halloween festival events could include a marquee event in Tallaght Stadium for families.

Daniel McLoughlin, Chief Executive South Dublin County Council, said: “The Budget as presented is positive and makes best use of available resources, while being mindful of ongoing challenges. It is vitally important to make a real difference in supporting communities, while advancing the development of the County. This budget seeks to achieve this in a balanced way.”

The Draft Budget for 2022 provides for total expenditure of €281,713,700 and anticipates income of €136,463,500 from a range of services and sources including rents, fees, charges, loan repayments, grants and recoupments.

Local property tax is to be reduced by 15 per cent for 2022, which was approved by members at the July council meeting

The balance totalling €145,250,200 will be funded from a combination of commercial rates and local property tax (LPT).