GOVERNMENT MUST NOW DELIVER ON THE MULVEY REPORT

16 February 2017

by Cllr Joe Costello

Reacting to the publication of the  Mulvey report, Labour spokesperson on urban renewal, Joe Costello has said:

"I welcome the launch of the Report today which represents six months of analysis of the problems besetting the North East Inner City of Dublin and which provides a roadmap for social and economic regeneration of the area.

"Kieran Mulvey has done a tremendous job of work in consulting widely with the community. He has identified the issues and has produced a strong Report.

"His vision and overall plan for the area are comprehensive and he has sought to ensure that the local community become stakeholders in the decision-making process.

"However, there are no clear targets or time lines for delivery of the overall plan or the specific projects identified in the plan. Likewise, there is no dedicated budget.

"For example, the Day Care Centre in Sean Mac Dermott St. provides an invaluable service for the Senior citizens of the NEIC. Its bus for transporting elderly people is broken down and in need of replacement; the Centre itself is an unhealthy building devoid of natural light and it is awaiting refurbishment and an extension to be built. Yet despite the Taoiseach visiting the Centre twice in recent months with his entourage and despite strong commitments made by him, there is no ring fenced funding or budget allocation to carry out this essential work.

"It is now up to the Taoiseach and his Government to honour their commitment and deliver what the promised. They must step up to the plate or the Mulvey Report becomes another false dawn for the North Inner City.

"The Taoiseach must identify and earmark the necessary funds. He must ring fence them and establish timelines for their expenditure.

"The ambivalence over funding for the redevelopment of the old Rutland St. national School and the old Magdalen Convent are unacceptable as a multi- purpose training and development centre for the area is required. Likewise there must be a fully funded and clear pathway through education, training and apprenticeship to employment for the local communities that are bereft of employment.

"The massive regeneration project that is taking place at present on the Dublin Docklands must be harnessed to the regeneration projects in the NEIC.

"Finally, the Government must take the Mulvey Report to the leaders of all the main political parties and get cross party support for the implementation of the plan now and into the future."