Neale Richmond; Ballinteer, Leopardstown, Sandyford and Stepaside

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown to receive over €5 million in roads funding

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:49:43 +0000

Local Fine Gael Councillor Neale Richmond has welcome the announcement from Minister of Transport Leo Varadkar that Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has been allocated €5,133,180 in grants for road improvement schemes.

“This funding will enable the County Council to proceed with much needed restoration, maintenance and improvement works.

“€650,000 has been allocated to the Burton Hall Road scheme which will greatly benefit the traffic flow in Sandyford Business Estate. The Part 8 planning approval for this was passed by the County Council just this month.

“In addition €100,000 has been allocated to the Leopardstown Link Road, this will be of further benefit to the Sandyford Business Estate as well as residents living close by.

“Over €2 million has been allocated to road improvement across the County, there are many roads which will require attention and this funding will ensure the safety of these roads. €131,000 has also been allocated as part of the regional sign posting campaign.

“Nearly €1 million has been allocated for road restoration and winter maintenance projects.

“I look forward to these works beginning and ending as soon as possible so local residents can enjoy the benefits of this much needed funding.”

Druid Valley completion saga comes to an end – Richmond

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:11:11 +0000

Following years of negotiation, lobbying and delays – Druid Valley Estate in Cabinteely has finally been Taken in Charge by the Council. The order was officially passed at the County Council meeting earlier this month whilst Cllr Neale Richmond pushed the Manager for a final outstanding works list at yesterday’s meeting of the Dundrum Area Committee.

“This news is a welcome relief for the residents of Druid Valley who for years have been waiting for their estate to be completed. It has taken a great amount of lobbying from residents, Councillors and officials but finally the Council has come to agreement with the Developer over the remaining issues relating to the Taking in Charge process.

“As of the 9th January, the Council is now fully responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the roads, lighting, pathways and green areas of the Druid Valley as well as the adjacent parkland.

“The Developer was not in a position to complete the necessary works in the Druid Valley parkland but has come to a financial agreement with the Council whereby the Council will complete the works needed.

“It is a satisfactory result to a lengthy process that is unfortunately a product of the collapse of the property boom.”

Editor’s Note: Please see Manager’s report below

MEETING OF DUNDRUM AREA COMMITTEE

23 JANUARY 2012

Full Report on Works Carried Out in Druid Valley

Motion: Councillor N. Richmond

“That the Manager provides a full report on works being carried out in Druid Valley in

relation to bringing the development up to standard.”

Report:

The contractor has satisfactorily completed the outstanding works as agreed with

Building Control. These works included the widening of existing pedestrian paths,

the extension of some paths to the site boundary, the erection of railings and the

provision of public lighting to certain pedestrian paths. These works were required to

be completed before the taking in charge process commenced.

The Taking in Charge of the development was agreed by resolution at the meeting of

the County Council on 9th January 2012.

Kickstart 2012

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:27:27 +0000

DLR Events presents

KICKSTART 2012

An outdoor family activity day in the People’s Park
Sunday 22nd January from 12 to 3pm

With Christmas and New Years officially, over there’s no more excuses to ignore all the resolutions. So why not banish those winter blues and come and kick-start 2012 with a free family activity day that promises to get the whole family moving & put some much needed colour in back in everyone’s cheeks!

Once again Kickstart 2012 aims to get people out and about after the excesses of Christmas to having some fun. If your New Year Resolution is to get fit and healthy for 2012 then make sure you come to the Peoples Park, Dun Laoghaire on Sunday 22nd January from 12 to 3pm.

The DLR Sports Department will be on hand with some sporty fun and DLR Leisure Services will be in the park and ready to offer their fitness assessment as well as information on the DLR leisure centres in the county.

There will be bouncy castles and inflatable games with an active theme, the old favourites will also be there – face painters and the DLR Events DJ will be spinning the tracks to get you moving.

The Peoples Park in Dun Laoghaire is a beautiful place to be on a crisp winters Sunday, along with the award winning CoCo Market there are the tea rooms where you can get one of the best coffees or hot chocolates in South Dublin, the fountains a children’s playground. Easily accessible by DART (Dun Laoghaire or Glasthule) The Peoples Park is only a short walk from the shops, restaurants and piers of Dun Laoghaire. The ever-popular CoCo Markets will also be in the park on the 22nd.

For full details & the most up-to-date information about all DLR events, visit us on www.dlrevents.ie/ or email info@dlrevents.ie

Operation Transformation- Free Walking Event in Marlay Park- 14th January 2012

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:52:35 +0000

As part of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnerships aim to encourage residents of the County to get active, a free walking event will be held on the morning of the 14th January in Marlay Park. This event is being held in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council and RTE’s Operation Transformation programme. On this day every County in Ireland will have a similar walking event to cater for all levels of fitness, but in particular those looking to start exercising again.

Meeting at 10.45am beside the new playground at the College Road entrance to Marlay Park, the 4km route will be around the picturesque park, based on pathways and suitable for all levels of walker. Supported by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, this event will provide the perfect chance to put those New Years resolutions into action.

For further information on this event and to register your interest please contact Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership at 01-2719502 or
sportspartnership@dlrcoco.ie.

Budget 2012

ExSite — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:07:42 +0000

Key points of Minister Michael Noonan’s Budget 2012:

No increase in income tax
First-time buyers will get mortgage interest relief at 25%
Measures to help those who bought houses between 2004-2008
€100 household charge waived for those on mortgage interest supplement
Increase in Motor Tax from 1 January
25 cent increase on 20 cigarettes
Corporate Tax Rate remains at 12.5%
5% surcharge on investors with income over €100,000
Carbon Tax increased from €15 per tonne to €20 per tonne
Corporate tax exemption for start-up firms extended to 2014
Stamp duty on commercial property to be reduced
PRSI to be extended to cover rental, investment and other forms of income
Foreign Earnings Deduction to support firms in emerging markets
€100,000 of R&D expenditure can be used as tax credit
Special Assignee Relief Programme to be introduced
Section 23 tax relief changes
Universial Social Charge exemption level raised to €10,000
VAT rate raised to 23%
Capital Acquisitions Tax raised to 30%
Capital Gains Tax raised to 30%
Capital Gains Tax incentive for property purchased up to end of 2013
Citizenship condition for Domicile Levy payment abolished
Tax exemption for first 36 days of Illness Benefit ended