€300k Have Your Say project funding cannot be reallocated

FUNDING assigned for a project in Kilnamanagh under South Dublin County Council’s €300k Have Your Say scheme, which will now not be going ahead, cannot be reallocated.

The project was for the development of a €60k basketball and tennis court in a section of the car park of the Kilnamanagh Family Resource Centre.

When contacted by The Echo, a council spokesperson confirmed that the project would not be going ahead as the community centre said it was “not in favour” of it proceeding.

The proposal for the project was submitted by an individual citizen during the public submission window for €300k Have Your Say, which this year is for projects in Tallaght Central.

However, the chairman of the Kilnamanagh Family Recreation Centre, Tony Condren, said there was no consultation with the centre in advance of the proposed court being approved.

“€300k Have Your Say is a community initiative, it’s a great idea and I fully support it,” Mr Condren told The Echo.

“A proposal was put forward by an individual for the basketball and tennis courts. He suggested that it would be put in our car park, and it was granted by the council.”

Before the project was approved, Mr Condren claimed that the centre wasn’t approached by either the council or the individual who submitted the proposal.

When the community centre’s board of management explored their options after the proposal was approved, they found that it was “not feasible” to have a basketball and tennis court in the car park.

Issues which arose included concerns about the impact the project would have on the busy car park, and also insurance concerns both for the people using the courts and for motorists in the car park.

“There should’ve been consultation,” said Mr Condren. “I think it’s a great idea, but part of it should’ve been consultation with stakeholders – that never happened.

“If they had done that, the outcome could’ve been different.”

As for what will now happen to the €60k that was allocated to the project, a council spokesperson said it cannot be used elsewhere but will “remain available” if the project does go ahead.

“The funding assigned for the winning project in question, ‘Basketball and tennis court in Kilnamanagh’, cannot be used or transferred to a different project,” stated the spokesperson.

“This is because funding can only be allocated to projects voted on by citizens of the Tallaght Central Electoral Area through the €300k Have Your Say scheme.

“The Participatory Budgeting (€300k – Have Your Say) project will be externally evaluated and recommendations will be proposed for consideration of the incoming Council in 2024.

“The funding remains available for the project to which it was awarded.”

Mr Condren said the family recreation centre is considering placing a “practice court” in a section of the centre’s car park where it “wouldn’t obstruct anyone” and there would be sufficient space.

For full access to all content on Echo.ie and to support the continuation of local news and local journalism in your community subscribe HERE. Thanks for your ongoing support.