COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

QUESTION NO. 7

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

“That the Chief Executive gives a full and comprehensive report on all planned Part 8 for social housing for the Clondalkin area that includes how many houses and timeframe are being built? also to ask how many will be 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms? and that other Part 8’s are brought to the Clondalkin Committee as a matter of urgency?”

REPLY:

There are currently three social housing build projects for a total of 65 housing units under construction which will all be completed by the end of 2018.The fourth scheme at St. Cuthbert’s, Clondalkin is awaiting final budget approval from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and it is estimated that this scheme will commence on site in July 2018 with a completion date in quarter 2 2019. The unit type breakdowns are listed below.

On the next tranche of proposed social housing projects there are 6 sites identified which are at early stages of feasibility. Once these sites have completed feasibility and are determined suitable for social housing developments the proposed schemes will be designed and commence the Part 8 planning process over the coming 12 months.

School Clothing and Footwear Allowance

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance helps meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for children going to school.

Rules:

• You may qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance if you are:
• Getting a social welfare payment (including Working Family Payment and Back to Work Family Dividend) or a Health Service Executive payment, or
• Taking part in an approved employment scheme (back to work scheme) or
• Taking part in a recognised education or training course, or
• Involved in an Area Partnership Scheme, or
• Attending a FET (formerly Fás), Fáilte Ireland or LES training scheme

General Information:

Application for the scheme are available from the 22 June 2018.

The closing date for applications is 30 September 2018.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is responsible for operating the scheme

Where to apply

From 22 June 2018, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance application forms will be available from:

• Local Intreo Centre,
• Local Social Welfare Office, or
• Online at www.welfare.ie

Assistance with the application:

You can get help with filling in your application form at your Intreo Centre, Social Welfare Office.

Important:

Completed application forms with supporting documentation should be returned to:

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Social Welfare Services (SC&FA)

College Road

Sligo

Post Code F91 T384

Telephone –  Locall:1890 66 22 44

Newsflash!

Clondalkin Handcraft and Horticultural Show 2018

30th June in Newlands Garden Centre – Produce , Preserves and Flower arranging – Enter yours!

I welcome public consultation on possession of illegal drugs for personal use , I had a motion agreed at SDCC in 2016 on this’ . I totally welcome this and ask people to engage @ https://health.gov.ie/consultations

I raised the motion at a 2016 meeting of the council that called for support for decriminalisation “so people will no longer be made criminals simply because of their use of a drug. People’s drug use should be dealt with as a public health issue rather than as a criminal issue.

What do you think? Have your say @ https://health.gov.ie/consultations

Nicole Fox Fenlon (21), from Clondalkin, Dublin, died in Tallaght Hospital on January 18, after efforts by her mother, brother and emergency medics could not revive her.

Her family have spoken out about the bullying that happened online and in person. They spoke about how those who targeted Nicole even continued to do so after knowing she made a previous attempt on her own life two years ago. Nicole, who was known affectionately by all her family as Coco, was known as a bright, intelligent, beautiful girl who just wanted to have fun with her friends.

The trouble started when Nicole was around 18 and started going out to local clubs. Bullies became jealous of her friendships and set up horrific social media pages specifically to “slag”

“Nicole showed these to Her mother. They were things like pictures of people having group sex and they would be saying the girl in the picture was her, and there were threats too,”

“They would say she was riddled with diseases. They said awful things, awful lies.”

Jackie went to the gardaí, but because Nicole was over 18 she would have had to make the complaint herself, which she didn’t want to do for fear of being called a ‘rat’ on top of everything else.

Then in May 2016, Nicole took an overdose of tablets. Her family became aware that the bullying had reached a stage where her life was in danger.

“If she was out, the bullies would knock over her drinks, burn her with cigarettes and pretend it was accident, or shove her on to the ground on the dancefloor.”

Nicole suffered from a physical condition where her joints could become easily dislocated, and any injury from a fall could be more serious as a result.

“The bullying was eating away at her confidence.

“They threatened online to put Nicole in intensive care.

Jackie said that her daughter sent her one final message before she took her own life. “The last message she sent me was ‘I love you’ with a heart after it,” she said.

The mother-of-three urged parents to talk with their children more about bullying and that parents need to know their children’s social media passwords and check their messages and history for any bullying,”

“We want to try and bring in Coco’s Law where it will be an offence to threaten someone so much that they can take their own life. We’re trying to make people accountable for their actions where they can be charged with threatening and bullying people online.

“Nicole was physically and verbally and mentally abused. The physical aspect, yes, you can put charges against them for that, it is against the law.

“But she was threatened so much on social media, threatened to be put on a life support machine which she ended up on, threatened to be beaten up… they got into group chats and they were saying everything about her.

“But that’s not enough evidence. You can say anything about anyone you want, and threaten them, but it is not enough evidence to bring a charge against them.”

It was in May 2016 when Nicole first tried to take her own life. She was brought to a mental health service but despite the attempted overdose, Jackie was told there was nothing to worry about.

I recently met with Jackie and her family.

“I support the family in calling for immediate legislation that will make bullying a criminal offence,”

“No person should have to endure this behaviour; there must be laws to protect people against the bullies

“People who use online social media to attack and bully others must face consequences for their actions.”

Voting is scheduled to open from 7pm to just before midnight on Sunday May 27^th. Voting will be carried out online through the Have Your Say website and in venues on specific dates and times throughout the Clondalkin Electoral Area.

Those are:

Clondalkin Civic Offices – Monday, 21/05 – 9.00am to 5.00pm

Clondalkin Library – Monday, 21/05 – 4.00pm to 7.00pm

Rathcoole Community Centre – Monday, 21/05 – 4.00pm to 7.00pm

Newcastle Community Centre – Monday, 21/05 – 4.00pm to 7.00pm

Neilstown Community Centre – Monday, 21/05 – 4.00pm to 7.00pm

Online Passport Application Service

Please be advised that you can now renew your passport book or apply for a passport card online.

This service offers the convenience of an online application facility, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for adult Irish citizens at home and overseas.

Applications are processed within 10 working days with the vast majority of applications processed in 7 working days (plus postage time). It is by far the most convenient and fastest way to renew a passport.

The Passport Express facility, available through the network of post offices across the country will continue to operate for those who would prefer to renew their passport through their local post office.

Perhaps you would consider circulating this information to your constituents and local press.

For Further information visit: https://www.dfa.ie/passportonline/

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, April 09, 2018

MOTION NO.9

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

“That SDCC support LGBT Irelands calls and campaign to end discrimination in regards to Blood donations by Gay and Bisexual men and ask that the minister introduce an evidence based system, which includes an individual risk assessment, when deciding who is able to give blood rather than having a blanket 12 month restriction for men who have sex with men and we commit to writing to the Minister for Health on this”

Press Release:

Without a doubt, the MSM Blood-Ban is one of few remaining, overtly prejudiced and undeniably homophobic public policies in Ireland. This year we celebrate 25 years since the decimalization of homosexuality in Ireland.

The lifetime ban on blood donation in Ireland for Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) was lifted in January 2017.  However, MSM cannot donate blood if they have had sex in the past 12 months, ruling out many potential donors.

The reason for this is that MSM are deemed, by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, to be at ‘high risk’ of having infections that can be transmitted through donation, such as HIV

A marketing campaign of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service recently detailed the importance of blood donation in Ireland. All over the country we saw articles of families whose loved ones were saved following blood transfusions, social media posts detailing blood types, and various other promotional materials. Undeniably, the knock-on and direct effects of blood donation are extraordinary and cannot be forgotten. Many routine procedures in healthcare require a heavy supply of blood and their practice should not be impeded upon by shortages.

There is a complete neglect for the fact that many heterosexual men, women and non-binary individuals can all contract HIV, and can do so without any contact with MSM.

There is strong debate in Ireland relative to the availability of PrEP – Pre-exposure Prophylaxis. It’s worth pointing out the hypocritical concern that the IBTS and Irish Government display as they wish to prevent HIV contraction in the general population, but refuse to provide access to MSM and other at-risk groups to those very medications that can curb HIV transfer.

We propose that everyone should be screened for high risk sexual behaviours regardless of their sexual orientation. This could be in place instead of deferring MSM from donating for one year after their last sexual encounter. The new rapid test for HIV could be applied to everyone who goes to give blood.

Considering European Union countries such as Spain and Italy have employed a risk screening procedure for everyone, it is not unrealistic that Ireland follow suit.

Safetalk – Suicide Awareness training

Cllr Timmons says ‘’We have had two very successful Safetalk training days in Balgaddy and Bawnogue so far , there is a huge issue with suicide in our area and this is one step that will help , this course could help save lives I would appeal to everyone over 18 to do this course. Education is part of the solution to an issue that has effected and devastated our area , most of us have been effected by suicide at some level , we need to keep the conversations going and get informed on what we can do to help , mental health matters and I am interested in hearing the community views on how we might begin to tackle the issues in our community , if you need help please contact a helpline or talk to a friend , family member or your GP ’’

The next Safetalk is 21st April 12-4 in Scruleen Parish center – The free course has a certificate of attendance , 30 people max in each course , it is for 3 1/2 hours one of. please email to safetalk@francistimmons.com or Text name/s to 0872869315. (Over 18s only)

Beacon of Light @ 01-4578700 ,  Pieta House @ 01-6010000 , The Samaritans @ 116 123

The Clondalkin Handcraft and Horticultural Show will be held this year during the Clondalkin Village Festival over two days – the 30^th June in Newlands Garden Centre and 1^st July in Áras Chrónáin

Cllr Timmons – Chairperson says ‘’ This year’s event is already shaping up to be a great community day out , we have free demonstrations on the 30^th June and Music on the 1^st July , To help organize and keep the event safe we need Volunteers , please contact me if you can help out at all. This event is another great chance to showcase the great talents and skills of local people in Clondalkin and the rest of South Dublin County Council , this year we are opening it up to entries from every town in South Dublin County Council district , we look forward to a great event and callout for community help to make it the best Handcraft and Horticultural Show yet’’