Cllr Eamonn Walsh – Fianna Fail

Springfield – Request for the installation of pedestrian lights at St Marks Community School in Springfield, Tallaght.
(Q5 Tallaght ACM 28.09.09) (Cllr. E. Walsh) SEP/19720.
Health & Safety Officer, St. Marks Community School.

The Embankment Road extension is now open. A safety audit will be carried out next month and the issue of pedestrian lights will be considered as part of this audit.

Kingswood Heights/Embankment Road

Embankment Road – Request for a continuous dual white line (indicating no overtaking on either side) on the Embankment Road coming from Ballymount towards Kingswoods Heights. (Cllr. Eamonn Walsh) DEC/34127 On road directional arrows to be provided at appropriate locations. Continue to monitor this location.

PUBLIC STATEMENT ( By South Dublin County Council)

Progress report on Poddle and Camac river flood alleviation schemes under Eastern Region Catchment Flood Risk Assessment & Management Study (CFRAMS).

The Rivers Poddle and Camac form part of the Eastern RBD (River Basin District) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment & Management (CFRAM) Study.

Severe flooding was experienced on both rivers in October 2011. A meeting was held in the Civic Offices at 11am this morning (20/1/2012) to discuss the current programme for delivery of the Poddle and Camac catchment studies under the Eastern CFRAM Study. Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council, The Office of Public Works and the Consultants for the Eastern CFRAM Study were represented.

Under the current programme, flood maps for the Poddle and Camac catchments are due for completion in December 2013, with the full Catchment Flood Risk Management Plan due for completion in December 2015. Any flood relief schemes recommended from this plan are likely to be subject to a national programme of centrally-prioritised flood relief works, and could possibly take another three to five years to implement following consulting engineer, planning and contractor procurements. This would estimate the earliest date for completion of any feasible works by 2019 to 2020.

The purpose of the meeting was to examine the possibility of completing catchment modelling and works identification for the Poddle and the Camac at the earliest possible date, and to explore options for expediting some flood relief works on these rivers.

Following a very constructive discussion by all parties, it was agreed that, subject to final agreement on the scope of the technical analysis and modelling approaches:

• The survey work had commenced with likely completion on both rivers by March 2012.
• Modelling could proceed thereafter, provided sufficient technical resources are in place to ensure that it does not compromise the overall Eastern CFRAM programme, and subject to agreement on funding.
• The results from the previous Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study for the Poddle and Camac may be exploited to assist in advancing the modelling in line with the national CFRAM standards.
• Any works identified could proceed in advance of CFRAM Study completion provided they did not negatively impact on the recommendations of the overall CFRAM Study, and subject to technical approval, environmental assessment and compliance with OPW flood scheme requirements (Such works likely to Proceed using Part 8 procedure).
• Repairs to existing damaged walls would form part of the baseline of the modelling assessment.
• Any emergency or minor works should be kept a minimum so that they do not negate a more long-term solution that would give a greater benefit to the citizens of Dublin.

A further meeting will take place in February with a view to assessing technical proposal.

PRESS RELEASE: 12/01/2012

Walsh condemns as ‘sneaky’ the 37% cut in the weekly rehabilitation training bonus.

Tallaght Central FF Councillor, Éamonn Walsh has challenged the HSE and Minister O’Reilly for their decision to cut from € 31.80 to € 20, a training allowance to vulnerable people.

‘The National Learning Centre as part of the REHAB group at Broomhill Road in Tallaght provide a number of programmes to people with a range of disabilities and challenges in life both physical and intellectual. The purpose of these courses are manifold and include developing social skills to enhance the participants’ chances of participating in work or their return to work. The National Learning Network enable people to integrate into the community where up to now they may have felt marginalised due to their challenges in life. This small amount of money paid for incidental expenses such as bus fares and lunches’ Walsh says.

‘This cutback was decided a day before Christmas Eve and was received by the Network on the 3rd of January –the first day of business with no consultation. Like the disability cuts and the old age fuel allowance cut back, these are unwise and counterproductive measures and show a sloppy approach to budgeting. Targeting those whose voices are the weakest, and to do so over the Christmas period, is sneaky and unjust and should be reversed- I will be raising the matter at the HSE/Councillor Health Forum at our next meeting’ Walsh says.

PRESS RELEASE 21/12/2011

‘FF Councillors welcome the setting aside of closure decision.’

Fianna Fáil Councillors for Tallaght, John Hannon (Tallaght South) and Éamonn Walsh (Tallaght Central) have welcomed the HSE decision to reverse the closure of St Brigid’s in Crooksling Tallaght.

Both Councillors having attended and raised this matter at public and Council meetings and were anxious that the hardship, upset and anguish to family and patients caused by any possible closure be avoided.

Cllr Walsh says ‘I raised the matter through a Motion at a meeting of the Dublin Mid Leinster Regional Health Forum ( a Councillor/HSE forum) and brought to the management of the HSE’s attention that many of these patients regarded St Brigid’s as their home and that some of the patients there had mental difficulties that could be exacerbated by such a drastic change in their environment by any move to other facilities which, in extreme cases as was conveyed to us at the meeting, could shorten their lives.’

The HSE has started a 12 week consultation process with patients, their families, Geriatricians and other expert advice as well as HIQA to seek the best possible result for the patients. Cllr Hannon who represents the Brittas area says that he hopes that this consultation process is not mere ‘window dressing’ and will result in St Brigid’s Home in Crooksling continuing in existence. ‘I and Cllr Walsh will insist that the Minister and the HSE ensure that the interests of these vulnerable patients are paramount in any future decision.’

ENDS

PRESS RELEASE: 13/12/2011

Walsh slams 100% increase in Burial fees in South County Dublin.

Tallaght Central FF Councillor, Éamonn Walsh has challenged the Labour/Sinn Féin controlled Council’s budget proposal to double the price of a purchase of a grave space at Bohernabreena , Esker , Saggart and Newcastle from € 1200 to € 2400.

‘The Council has proposed the doubling of prices from purchase of burial rights to interment of ashes. Many people make enormous efforts to set aside some of their savings for their funeral arrangements so as not to burden their loved ones left behind.

I will be strenuously opposing this measure.

Walsh says ‘I am reminded of Brendan Behan’s quip that Kilbarrack’s graveyard was ‘the healthiest graveyard in Ireland because it was so near the sea’- anyone wanting to be buried near the mountains ought to think again with these exorbitant increases’.

ENDS

Contact : Eamonn Walsh 087 995 2211 South Dublin County Council