Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Local Government, Darragh O’Brien, has said it is deeply frustrating that the Government is failing to make any significant impact on the numbers of adults and children in emergency accommodation.
 
Deputy O’Brien was commenting as the Department of Housing released the homelessness figures for June which indicated that there are almost 6,500 adults and 3,675 children in emergency accommodation.
 
He said, “The numbers in emergency accommodation are above 10,000 for the fifth month in a row which is a disgraceful situation. There has been a slight drop in numbers thankfully, with eight fewer adults and 74 fewer children from last month but that decrease needs to be far greater.
 
“The Government needs to ask itself how it can possibly meet the demand for housing when the scale of development in affordable and public housing that’s required is simply not happening?
 
“The answer is not box room type living. It is quality, affordable homes where children can feel safe and secure. It’s important to remember at all times that the 3,675 children who are in emergency accommodation are being failed badly and that this will have far reaching consequences on their young lives.
 
“Many of these children will be beginning a new school year as they ended the last one, hopping from hotel to hotel, with no privacy, no place to do homework and no place to call home”, he concluded.

Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin-Fingal, Darragh O’Brien, says the government are failing to recognise the realities of coastal erosion as homes in Portrane and Rush in North County Dublin are under threat.
 
He commented, “The government have been completely hands-off when it comes to tackling this problem. In my own constituency we have already lost one home to coastal erosion. It is only a matter of time before we lose more.
 
“I have raised this urgent problem with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and sought an update as to where the multi-department National Coastal Erosion Strategy and Plan is at. His response will leave no coastal home owner with comfort.
 
“As far as I can see there is no plan or strategy. It appears the government are throwing small sums of money and firefighting the problem as local authorities report issues with coastal erosion.
 
“Our climate is changing rapidly. Storms and freak weather patterns are becoming the norm. This has a detrimental effect on our coast and homes on the coast. We need a national plan and the government should prioritise the coastal erosion plan with their other climate action ambitions,” concluded Deputy O’Brien.

My colleagues and I are continuing to monitor for news concerning the revised BusConnects draft plans and I have met with officials from the National Transport Authority (NTA) a number of times in recent months regarding this matter.
By way of a quick update please see below the mail that I have received from the NTA concerning the publication of the revised BusConnects plans for North Dublin.
It states;
“Dear Deputy

The NTA plans to publish revised proposals for the redesign of the bus network in Dublin next September. Full details of the public consultation arrangements will be announced at that stage.
Yours sincerely
NTA Oireachtas Liaison.”

Once the revised draft plan is published in September I will be holding further public meetings across Dublin Fingal for residents to voice their opinions and give feedback regarding the revised proposals.

Please see below the update that I and my colleagues Cllr Darragh Butler and Cllr Brigid Manton have received from Fingal County Council in relation to an application Jons Civil Engineering Ltd. has submitted seeking permission to temporarily close Rathbeale Road, (from its junction with Ardcian Park and the new proposed junction at Oldtown/Mooretown), Swords, Co. Dublin.
 
The closure will be to facilitate the construction of the Rathbeale Road Upgrade Scheme. It is proposed that the road will be closed from the 12th August 2019 to the 20th December 2019.
 
Alternative routes available for vehicular traffic are as follows:
Ashbourne Bound Traffic:
All vehicular traffic travelling Ashbourne Bound from Swords
- At the Rathbeale/Murrough/Glen Ellan Road Junction traffic lights – turn right on to Glen Ellan Road. Follow the Glen Ellan Road to the first roundabout.
At the Roundabout take the first exit onto Castleview Extension.
Follow Castleview Extension for approximately 1km onto the temporary link road/diversion back onto R125 Rathbeale Road at the Rathbeale Cottages.
 
Swords Bound Traffic:
From the closure point at Rathbeale Cottages, vehicles will be directed onto a new temporary link road to Castleview Extension.
Once on Castleview Extension, vehicles will travel approximately 1km to a roundabout.
At the Roundabout vehicles will take the 3rd exit onto Glen Ellan Road. Vehicles will then travel along Glen Ellan Road to the Rathbeale/Murrough/Glen Ellan Road Junction traffic lights - at the light’s vehicles will turn left onto the R125 Rathbeale Road, signposted Swords.
 
Local access for residents and businesses within the closure area will be maintained at all times.
Pedestrians will use the footpaths provided along the vehicle diversion route. Footpaths within the Rathbeale Road Closure Area will be closed. Fingal County Council have also attached a map highlighting the relevant areas.
 
Any person may lodge an objection online through the Consultation Portal, at https://consult.fingal.ie, or in writing to the Senior Executive Officer, Balbriggan Swords Operational Area, Fingal County Council, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, to arrive no later than 4.00pm on Friday 19th July 2019. Michael Carroll, Senior Executive Officer Balbriggan Swords Operational Area.

Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Housing, Darragh O’Brien TD, has highlighted the difficulty faced by those with disabilities, who often spend longer on social housing lists given the unique requirements needed to meet their housing needs.
 
Raising the matter at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Local Government the Dublin Fingal TD has called for the government to show more respect to those applying for housing who have complex accommodation needs.  
 
He explained, “The housing crisis is affecting every community across the country. The difficulties faced by those on social housing waiting lists are amplified if an applicant has a disability. It is evident, from people who have contacted me, that if you inform the local authority of a disability which requires a house with adaptions waiting times will be longer.
 
“I know this is distressing for elderly parents of adult children with disabilities. They want peace of mind that suitable and adequate housing is secured for their children, but they are subjected to long waiting times.
 
“I know of one lady in North Dublin who has had to live in a nursing home for eight years, in her forties while working, all because her local authority could not provide suitable housing for her needs.  
 
“Individuals with disabilities or complex needs are an afterthought for the current government. This has to change.
 
“Whenever the government start to take the housing crisis seriously they should ensure housing for people with disabilities is an integral role in the solution,” concluded Deputy O’Brien.