2500 flyers were distributed on Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th of June

“Because of our developer-led planning system, the Headford Road area saw a raft of new development over the last decade, without the corresponding community infrastructure. While the population increased by over 60%, there were no playing pitches built, no playgrounds built and we are still only talking about a community centre. It’s just not good enough.”

“I know the area well and can see for myself the teenagers now who have already missed out, and how unfair that is. However there are a large amount of young children and families who can still benefit if action happens soon. This is why the project is of such critical urgency and I will be insisting on this to Officials on Friday”

Last January, Cllr Nolan amended the draft City Development Plan to include playing pitches for the Headford Road. “If the community centre goes ahead quickly, together with my proposal in the City Development Plan, then we will be on our way to addressing the infrastructure deficit and providing real community space for the Headford Road.”

“Ballybane has experienced dramatic population growth over the last decade. To its credit, the community has come together to further develop the area. But it would be both unsustainable and unfair to continue to promote residential development in the area. I will be seeking to implement this restriction in the new City Development Plan.”

Cllr Nolan has singled out a proposal to build infill housing on recreational land between Castle Park, Rian Luachra and Rocklands Avenue.

“This is exactly the type of development we should be avoiding. Not alone would it consume valuable recreational space, but it would insert a new housing development smack in the middle of mature housing estates. It just doesn’t make sense.”

“It’s time to give Ballybane a break, by giving it an opportunity to develop and catch up with the dramatic change it has undergone. A moratorium on future housing development is the best way to achieve that, and I will fighting for that during the next phase of the City Development Plan”.

“Like all public bodies, the VEC in Galway have had their funding cut back dramatically. The Sandy Road centre alone was instructed to cut their resources by 30%.  Implementing a straight cut would have resulted in a reduction of 15 places.”

“Instead, VEC management took an innovative approach, and prepared a reorganizational plan for the Sandy Road Centre, that would produce even greater savings and allow numbers to actually increase by 15. Shamefully, the plans were vetoed by the Department of Education on the grounds that all action must be uniform across the country.”

“If this is the kind of unthinking and illogical bureaucracy that is supposed to upskill and educate our workforce in a time of recession, yet cannot see beyond a spreadsheet and allow innovation in its own ranks, then it is no wonder that teachers, parents and students have lost trust in the government. Fianna Fáil is continually assaulting the education sector. It is shocking to think that a lot of that pain is unnecessary.”

Speaking at the meeting, Labour Cllr Derek Nolan said that his party fully supported the restoration plans.

“The Taibhearc is the National Irish language theatre but has a cultural history entwined with Galway city for over 80 years. It is a focal point for the Irish language and has showcased and nurtured some of Ireland and Galway’s best know playwrights. The Taibhearc redevelopment simply must go ahead.”

Acknowledging the financial constraints on the City Council, Cllr Nolan said that Labour would work with other parties to find the necessary funds in this year’s Council budget.

“This project is far too important to falter because of financing. We will look at every combination of figures to secure the necessary funds. I don’t agree with putting a price on everything and believe this project to be worthy in its own right. It must be remembered however that the Irish language is worth some €136 million to Galway annually. The venue itself will further support and develop our cultural industries. In Labour’s view, the cultural and economic case is clear.”

Cllr Nolan said, “I am particularly concerned that money is being diverted away from schemes that provide for the purchase of residential properties in favour of leasing empty housing stock from developers and builders under the Social Housing Leasing Initiative.

Since this scheme was announced last year, I have raised my serious concerns about it on an ongoing basis. Nationally, the Labour Party has referred the scheme to the Comptroller and Auditor General who has indicated that an in-depth investigation is warranted.

I don’t believe that any real consideration has been given by the Government to the relative merits of leasing over purchase. Nationally, some €20 million was set aside in 2009 to lease properties on a 10 or 20 year basis, with substantial sums to be allocated in future years also, but house prices have dropped considerably recently, so it would make much more sense to buy the houses as a long term asset.

I am also concerned that the only fund that seems to be enjoying an increased allocation is the Rental Accommodation Scheme, a fund that provides support for people renting in the private sector from landlords, developers and builders. There is no doubt that there is an acute need for supports like this, but the scheme should never be more than a stop-gap measure, and has no place in any long-term strategy to tackle housing needs.

My motion to conference will call for these funds to be diverted towards the purchase of assets that the state will enjoy for years to come, not wasting money propping up builders and developers.”

Text of Motion:

Conference, concerned about the deteriorating social housing crisis in Ireland, condemns the government’s landlord-centric approach to housing provision and calls for the following:

• The diversion of funding from the Rental Accommodation Scheme towards a housing building programme.
• The elimination of the long term leasing programme in favour of a housing purchase scheme, and
• The provision of long term financing to local authorities to transfer unsold affordable housing stock to social housing stock.

Proposing Branch : Galway City East Branch