INSIDE Volume 7 Issue 1 - January 2005

Ballymun Concrete News 66 Joseph Plunkett Tower Ballymun, Dublin 11 Telephone 8425174 / 087 6724107

Email: ballymunconcrete.news@oceanfree.net Web:www.ballymunconcretenews.com

Des donates a tree

Ballymun Concrete News 66 Joseph Plunkett Tower Ballymun, D.11 �8425174 / 087 6724107 �ballymunconcrete.news@oceanfree.net

It’s IKEA again!

Page 8

PPaaggee 88

Joseph O’ Dea’s meets Ballymun’s Needs

Ballymun Town Centre Tel 8421647 Fax 8422952

Volume 7 Issue 1 - January 2005

Ballymun Neighbourhood Council 4 page special Pages 3, 4, 5 & 6

See our special

service for Asthma patients inside.

O’Dea’s over 30 years

serving the Ballymun

community.

50% Off selected gifts sets for Valentine's Day.

The Ballymun community needs leaders with a positive vision. If you are interested, please contact Ballymun Neighbourhood Council at: 01- 8832154.

INSIDE - Ballymun Neighbourhood Council - Election Special WITH NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM ELECTIONS DUE TO TAKE PLACE IN EARLY 2005, IT IS PERHAPS TIME­LY TO SHOW HOW ORDINARY RESIDENTS HAVE AND CAN STILL INFLUENCE CHANGES NECESSARY TO MAKING THEIR OWN COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE.

AS AN EXAMPLE OF THIS,WE CHART TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF HARD WORK BY MANY BALLYMUN RESIDENTS WHO,THROUGH THEIR DEDICATION, HAVE HELPED TO CHANGE THE FACE OF BALLYMUN FOREVER.

See Page 3, 4, 5 & 6

Minister of State, Tony Kileen TD, heaped huge praise on the Ballymun Job Centre as he launched the group’s annual report in the Local Employment Centre last month.

Speaking exclusively to the Ballymun Concrete News, The Minister of State at the Department of Labour said he is pleased with the

progress being made by the group and emphasised that its progress is a continuing

inspiration to job centres across the country.

“I’m hugely impressed with the group, because the Ballymun Job Centre has been here for so long and has had such success here. It’s very well established in the context of the regeneration, which is famous country­wide, and very highly regard­ed,” said the Minister.

And when quizzed on the availability of badly needed funding to cope with the new

demand for a highly skilled labour force in Ballymun, the Minister responded:

“The key problem for indus­try at the present time is the existence of a skilled work force, so I’m delighted to see the connections between the Job Centre and VETAC in particular.

“It’s clear that VETAC quali­fications are beginning to have a very high level of credibility with industry groups and the stage is being reached now that there are a substantial number of employable people in Ballymun who are in the VETAC range.

“That’s an awful lot more attractive to employers because increasingly their concern is to go where there is an adaptable and well-edu­cated workforce. Long term this has the potential to develop Ballymun in a way that people will forget that

there ever was a disadvan­taged or negative tag,” he added.

Speaking about the Job Centre’s continuing impor­tance to the development of Ballymun, co-ordinator Mick Creedon said that their work has become much more man­ageable as locals are now bet­ter qualified to find jobs.

“There are an increasing number of people in this area who are getting better-paid jobs because they are better skilled today. When the job centre was set up first it was difficult to even get people to be able to access the few jobs that were available. But now there are jobs available and it’s important that people up-skill to continue to access these jobs,” he said.

“The regeneration will hope­fully create a more positive image of Ballymun. It’s up to us to ensure that people get those jobs.”

New Yorker Des shot to fame last year with his Work Experience docu-comedy receiving rave reviews. Des speaking exclusively to the Ballymun Concrete News said he was struck by the quality of Ballymun’s comedians when interviewing them for his new series which is planned to be screened on RTE in the Autumn.

In Ballymun, five of the best young comedians were picked in early January to showcase the area’s talent to the nation. But as Des says, the main emphasis will be on jokes relating to their own community.

“I was telling Tommy, a guy

who auditioned, that when you ask someone where they’re from, you’d have set jokes. You try to connect with people from that area, and there are loads of things to be funny about Ballymun.”

For Ballymun’s young stars beginning their comedy careers, Des advises. “Being funny about your shit is a great way of healing. It’s always great to get stuff out into the open – and it’s a lot cheaper than counselling.”

The comedian was in Ballymun also to donate a tree to amapto­care project see photo on back page, also check amaptocare advertisement inside pages.

--Alert-­Due to technical

problems the Ballymun Concrete News

website can only be accessed by clicking on www.irishunsigned.com/bcn to view current issue

and Late News. Editor

Minister Praises Ballymun Job Centre Exclusive by Seamus Kelly report by Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

Photos by Seamus Kelly.

Interview with Minister of State at the Department of Labour Affairs Tony Kileen TD.

Get your ticket Now. Irish soccer coach Brian Kerr is coming back to Ballymun, to launch the Ballymun Partnership/ Parents Network in Axis on January 27th at 4pm.

Entertainment includes face-painting, workshops and talks on the stress of parenting.

Brian Kerr, famous for his incredible football success,

will be there to pick out a winning ticket for top-class dinner and tickets to an international friendly.

A ticket is required to gain entrance to the event and to enter the raffle for a unique family prize. So contact the Ballymun Partnership now in theBallymun shopping centre or ring 01–8423612 for a registration form for your chance to take part in this special family fun event!

Brian Kerr to Launch Parents Network

Mary Callaghan, Asst Manager Ballymun Job Centre greets Minister Kileen at Job Centre Ballymun. Photos By Seamus Kelly.

Minister Tony Kileen pictured with Ballymun Job Centre Chairman Dr. Pat Nolan and Job Centre Co-ordinator Mick Creedon at the LES office.

Des Bishop pictured with Dean Scurry who was interviewed by Des in axis.

Des Bishop Wants by Seamus Kelly and Fiachra Ó Cionnaith

local Comedians for RTE Top comedian Des Bishop is convinced the new Ballymun will be a laugh a minute after seeing first-hand the string of young comedy talent in the area.

BNC

2 Volume 7 Issue 1 BBaallllyymmuunn CCoonnccrreettee NNeewwss • January 2005

Ballymun Area Office Ballymun Civic Centre Main Street Ballymun

The less you throw away The less you will pay

www.dublincity.ie

Make sure your wheelie bin is regis­tered by calling 1850 946 482

There is an annual service charge of €€ 84 payable over 4 quarters (€€ 21 per quarter) with the first bills being issued in April. In addition to the quarterly charge, a charge of € 5 will apply for each time a bin is lifted.

If you are living in an apartment / flat contact your landlord or management company.

You may apply for a waiver of waste charges if your sole income is a Department of Social and Family Affairs allowance or Pension or if your total income is exempt from tax under the Finance Acts. You must apply for a waiver every year.

1. Using your green bin to recycle milk and juice cartons (tetra pak), newspapers, maga­zines, light cardboard packaging (eg. cereal boxes), aluminium cans, steel cans.

2. Go to the local recycling facilities in your area:

3. Use a composting Bin (available from 222 5406)

WASTE COLLECTION IS CHANGING IN YOUR AREA TO BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT

Collins Avenue City Council Depot (opposite DCU) Poppintree Community Centre

Collins Avenue – Whitehall Colmcille GAA Club Omni Shopping Centre

Congratulations to Joanne Coffey who last month became amaptocare's 500th tree donor. Joanne and her partner Dillon have won a trip for two to Paris thanks to McCabe Builders. Joanne, from Coultry in Ballymun, plans to go to Paris for Valentine's Day. Joanne has chosen Coultry as the loca­tion for her tree which she has donated in

memory of her mother.

Padraic Brennan of MacCabe Builders who generously sponsored the prize said, "We were more than happy to be associated with the amaptocare project. MacCabe builders have a long-standing relationship with the Ballymun area and are very proud of our involvement with the regeneration of Ballymun. We would also like to wish the prize winners the best of luck and hope they enjoy their trip to Paris".

As well as having her tree planted, Joanne's name will join the other hundreds of donors whose names will be engraved on the new Civic Plaza walk of fame!

Des Bishop is the latest addition to con­tribute a tree to amaptocare,and joins other celebrities who chose to donate trees for Ballymun including Aslan, the Frames and actor Stephen Rea, commented that "Trees bring life and energy to a place".

Artist Jochen Gerz of amaptocare and Padraic Brennan of MacCabe Builders presenting

Joanne Coffey and Dillon Hand with a trip to Paris as winners of amaptocare’s 500th tree

donor competition.

Best Wishes for a Greener 2005 Happy New Year from amaptocare - To donate a tree contact

01 8832110 or email amaptocare@hotmail.com.

MARGARET AYLWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

WHITEHALL

Congratulations to our All Ireland Volleyball Winners

ENROLMENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2005 ARE NOW TAKING PLACE FOR THE FOLLOWING COURSES

• JUNIOR CERTIFICATE • TRANSITION YEAR • LEAVING CERTIFICATE • LEAVING CERTIFICATE APPLIED

PLEASE RING OR CALL FOR AN APPLICATION FORM

Margaret Aylward Community College is an all girls school

Thatch Road,Whitehall. Dublin 9 Phones: 8375712 / 8367787 / 8367778 Email: irene.geraghty@macc.cdvec.ie

A range of buses service this area: 3, 16, 16A, 20B, 33, 41, 41A,B,C, 77B,103, 104, 105

(We are behind the Church of the Holy Child, Swords Road.Thatch Road is just off Collins Ave. and connects with the Beaumont Road)

500th Tree Donor Wins Trip to Paris for Valentine's Day

To reduce your costs, recycle where possible by:

BBaallllyymmuunn CCoonnccrreettee NNeewwss • January 2005 Volume 7 Issue 1 3

www.ballymun-nc.ie

From Ballymun Community Coalition to Ballymun Neighbourhood Council 1985 to 2005 - 21 Years of Change. (How volunteers are changing the face of Ballymun)

by Noel Martin, Communications Officer, Ballymun Neighbourhood Council “The Winds of Change”, a hit tune for work by active Ballymun residents, allocated homes in Ballymun. In 1986, Ballymun and was willing to attend ‘The Scorpions’ in the 1990s was a Dublin City Council Officials and 59% of all single people and 28% of regular meetings was entitled to metaphor for the changes that were local politicians who formed the mem- all homeless families were housed by participate. being brought about in eastern Europe bership of the Ballymun Housing Task Dublin Corporation in Ballymun. Yet and other countries, by people striving Force. the estate accounted for just 10% of In its early days the Coalition mem­to better their living conditions. the Corporation’s total housing stock. bers would sit in a circle to discuss

SUSS-ing It Out Most of these people were living on issues which became wider and wider Today those same winds of change are The movement to redevelop very low incomes. The SUSS report as new members swelled its ranks. blowing through Ballymun and with it Ballymun goes back to the twentieth argued that the Corporation should Each meeting would elect its own is the 1.5 billion Euro regeneration Century or to be more precise, around change its housing policy and that Chair and the group itself would pri­programme that is changing the face of 1984 when 20 local activists attended there should be immediate and mas- oritise issues for action. Later on how-Ballymun forever. As in other coun- an AnCo (now FAS) sponsored com- sive investment in social and other ever as its workload increased the tries, changes in Ballymun have been munity development course. amenities to meet the exceptional group reorganised its structures. and are still being urged on and made needs of the population of the area. a reality by local people who are will- Resulting from this Course the partici- The Coalition recognised a pressing ing to give of their time for their own pants formed the SUSS Resource As the Ballymun Housing Task Force need “to build a positive image of and their community’s wellbeing. Centre. In its relatively short lifetime was later to put it: “Stark, unrelieved Ballymun and to prove that it had a

SUSS played a vital role as the group poverty is the main factor underlying viable future”. It’s first major initiative The Regeneration of Ballymun which jump-started the consciousness the crisis. There is no doubt that poor- was the setting up of a Credit Union Currently, Ballymun estate is undergo- of Ballymun community groups and ly-planned housing and physical envi- which still operates in the Ballymun ing the biggest regeneration pro- individuals through a series of ‘unity ronment aggravates poverty and it is Town Centre. This opened in February working at home and involved in com-gramme in the history of the Republic. conferences’. The conferences were equally true that poverty on a wide 1987 following over a year’s munity activities, was chosen to run This is of crucial importance to the designed to unite those sharing a com- scale leads to a deterioration of hous- preparation. for office. She received over 800 first long-term future of the Ballymun mon interest in wanting to improve the ing and of the physical environment no preference votes. This was a signifi­community, but so also is the way the conditions of people living in matter how well planned it is.” The Coalition also turned its attention cant vote considering that the estate is managed by the local authori- Ballymun. A number of SUSS mem- Ballymun Task Force Interim Report, to unemployment in Ballymun. It Coalition only canvassed in Ballymun ty. The regeneration programme will bers went on to distinguish themselves April 1988. researched and published (in July where few people felt that voting was totally change the physical structure of in community organisations. 1986) Ballymun: its Future Can Work, worthwhile. the estate and will also change For local people, the reality of poverty which made the case for the setting up Ballymun from being simply a local A report published by the local SUSS and the problems of an estate with rap- of a community job centre to provide a However this community campaign authority estate to a mixed tenure and Resource Centre, A Block of Facts: idly deteriorating housing conditions, locally controlled job placement and did capture the imagination of many multi-development new town. Ballymun Twenty-One Years On highlighted the urgent need to channel employment creation service. In local folk, hence the relatively high

described the deterioration in housing greater resources into Ballymun. They launching this report, which was very vote within Ballymun. New dwellings built to high standards conditions and the high levels of recognised that for this to happen, a well received, the then Taoiseach, will replace the flats blocks. The new dependence in the community. It variety of interest groups and statutory Garrett Fitzgerald, put his personal For the Coalition and other communi­commercial developments plus the showed that there was a high level of agencies would have to develop a support behind the proposal. ty activists involved, this campaign Civic Centre and Axis Centre etc are transience in the area, with the highest more creative and integrated approach Nevertheless it took many months of was a major tactical victory, which transforming the Main Street from a tenant turnover in the flats. It also con- in their response to these problems. intensive lobbying and negotiation signalled to politicians the seriousness quick through-road into the economic firmed that physical maintenance was with state agencies for funding before of the housing crisis in the Ballymun hub of the new town. New neighbour- very poor, particularly in the flats. One Economic Body Blow the Ballymun Job Centre finally estate. hood Centres will become the centre in ten of the flats on the estate were The fruits of the unity work of SUSS opened its doors in February 1987. of local commercial and community vacant, one in ten of the lights on stair- became evident when later in 1984 activity as well as providing low-cost ways were damaged and one third of word got out that the Bank of Ireland During its lifetime Coalition members dwellings for local people starting out the lifts were out of order at any given was to close its Ballymun Branch. also played a major part in initiating on the housing ladder. time. Flat residents listed the poor Local concerned residents and groups the Ballymun Partnership, Community

level of maintenance as the greatest banded together to discuss this body Action Project, a Tenant Training “Very good but what does this have to single reason why they would consid- blow to the economic life of the com- course through Maynooth College and do with the history of the area” you er moving out of Ballymun. munity. They devised a campaign to successfully mounted opposition to a may ask. The answer of course is try to persuade the bank to change its proposed waste incinerator for ‘quite a lot actually’ because the The SUSS report also showed a signif- mind about the closure. Ballymun. regeneration programme was not sim- icant change in the social mix in the ply a gift from on high but rather is the area. In 1985, 45% of all single parents Although the campaign failed in its In early 1987, the Coalition also began culmination of many years of hard housed by Dublin Corporation were primary objective, it galvanised the to look at housing in the area.

resolve of its organisers, that collec- Discussions on housing issues went on tive cooperation and action was the for nearly a year. best way forward in defending the Ballymun community. And so in 1985 New Strategy to Highlight the the Ballymun Community Coalition Ballymun Issues was born. Also in 1987, the Coalition decided to

run a candidate in the February gener-Ballymun Community Coalition al election. The main purpose of this Participative Democracy In campaign was to highlight the con-Action cerns of Ballymun, motivate people to Following the ‘bank campaign’ the vote and to get the attention of local Coalition stayed together to act as a politicians, particularly the forum for addressing issues of concern Constituency T.D.s. to the community of Ballymun. Anyone who lived or worked in Agnes Cox (R.I.P.), a local woman

Bank of Ireland campaign 1984

Ballymun Main Street takes shape

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Ballymun Task Force 1987 - Job Number One ‘Convince the Government to Fund Refurbishment of the Ballymun Flats’.

Following the 1987 General Election,

Community Coalition Delegates to the Ballymun Task Force 1991

duced by the Task Force Report and final cost of Phase One was over £6 discussions in the Ballymun distributed to every home in the area. million). He also announced support Community Coalition focused on how Three community seminars were held. for the long-term goal of refurbishing best to involve key decision makers in There were meetings with profession- all the flats at an estimated cost at that developing and implementing a hous­ als working in the area, workers time of between £5O million £7O mil­ing policy for the area. Out of these involved in maintenance and local lion). So within a year of its inaugura­discussions came the proposal for a business interests. The Task Force also tion, the Task Force had got agreement Task Force which would bring togeth­ met voluntary and community organi- for a phased programme of refurbish­er public representatives, the statutory sations from other areas in Dublin and ment, the largest single scale refur­authorities and representatives of the visited Belfast and Glasgow to exam- bishment in Ireland to date. community (through the Coalition). ine experiences in similar estates. The

ideas arising from these extensive con- The push for Implementation of The Task Force would be separate sultations were considered by the Task the Refurbishment Programme from the Coalition but would report to Force as it began developing its pro- By the summer of 1988 the Task Force it on a regular basis for accountability, posals for refurbishing the estate. had met the original aims set down by advice and direction. The Coalition the Ballymun Community Coalition. It decided to approach all of the con­ “Get on the List” was decided to reconstitute the ‘Task stituency T.D.s for a response to the In November 1987 Ballymun Task Force to continue to push for the Agnes Cox vote and to invite them to The Community Delegates had to be ed and open manner and in which they Force held a meeting with the Minister implementation of the Task Force pro-take part in such a Task Force. They from the area and had to agree to will co-ordinate the resources they for the Environment, Padraig Flynn posals. The restructured Task Force all immediately accepted. Following attend meetings regularly, to maintain have available to meet the needs of the T.D., to explain the intentions of the maintained the basic structure of its the positive response from the confidentiality where necessary and to area in conjunction with the local com- Task Force and to seek his support for predecessor and quite a few of its orig-Constituency T.D.s, Dublin work in the interests of the area as a munity”. Corporation Housing Department and whole rather than their personal or the Eastern Health Board were also group interests. Ballymun Community Coalition’s pro-asked to participate. Four Corporation posal for a Task Force met this criteri­representatives and one Health Board Perhaps most importantly, they had to on. The Combat Poverty Agency representative joined the Task Force agree not to seek political office while (CPA) agreed to fund a worker for six along with eight community delegates on the Task Force and for a period of months in the first instance (though selected by the Coalition. twelve months after their membership this later continued until the end of

ended. 1991) and an Agency representative joined the Task Force. Funding was

Terms of Reference subsequently made available by CPA The terms of reference laid down for to hire a full-time worker (Secretariat) the Task Force by the Ballymun to enable Task Force to professionalize Community Coalition in 1987 were: its work. “On the occasion of the Ballymun Estate’s 21st Anniversary, to draw up Finally, Ballymun Community long and short-term plans for the bal- Coalition decided to seek a chairper­anced development of the area, using son who was independent of both the the widest strata of local opinions community and statutory agencies. available”. This was seen as crucial in facilitating

the different interest groups to work The Task Force met for the first time in together and this has proved to be the September 21st, 1987 and immediate- case throughout the life of the Task any future policy. They were informed inal members. It began meeting in

ly considered how it could best meet Force. that Ballymun was not on Dublin September 1988 and agreed the fol-

its terms of reference. It was agreed Corporation’s priority list for remedial lowing terms of reference:

that over a period of six months, a In a period of intense activity to July work. Therefore the initial step in

housing policy for Ballymun would be 1988 when ‘A programme of renewal seeking funding for refurbishment was “To ensure the overall success of

developed and presented. The agreed for Ballymun – an Integrated Housing to have the estate added to this list. Phase One with regard to all decisions

goal was to come up with a realistic Policy’ was finally published, the full This was the Task Force’s first taken in establishing an integrated

plan that (a) would be acknowledged Task Force met 19 times, while the achievement. housing policy for Ballymun and with

by statutory bodies and (b) would eight community delegates met a fur- the development of a community care

make an impact at Cabinet level. ther 38 times in all (sometimes meet- The Interim Report was formally programme as a priority element of

ing two or three times a week) to carry launched at a press conference on May this integrated policy. To co-ordinate

The plan for the Task Force was given out the day to day running of the Task 2nd 1988 and the architects drawings and co-operate with other groups Because of the nature of the partner- a further boost by the publication of Force business and to organise a con- and a model of the planned develop- working on other issues affecting life ship envisaged by Ballymun sthe Combat Poverty Agency’s (CPA) tinuous process of consultation with ments were put on display in a number in Ballymun e.g. education and job Community Coalition, which would first strategic plan in June 1987. the community. of locations including the library, the creation”. (Ballymun Task Force, involve working with officials and shopping centre, a local school and in Minutes November 1988). politicians, the Coalition decided at The plan outlined support for pilot It was decided early on to consult as one of the tower blocks proposed for the outset that a code of conduct would community development projects widely as possible regarding the refurbishment. These formed the basis For those involved at the time there be needed in order to foster mutual which were based: “in the most development of a housing policy for for ongoing extensive consultation. was a great sense of achievement and respect among the Task Force mem- deprived areas, to draw up and imple- the area. A series of meetings and dis- celebration. People felt that the suc­bers. It should be remembered that ment a comprehensive plan for the cussions were held to gather opinions At the end of July 1988, the Minister cess of the first Task Force could be prior to this, community representa- improvement if the area.A key clement for the plan. The Task Force met with formally announced his support for the repeated and the rolling programme of tives and statutory bodies traditionally in such projects will be developing local community, voluntary and ten proposed programme of renewal and refurbishment could continue. sat at different sides of the table where new ways of working in which statuto- ants organisations. the provision of at that time, around However, as subsequent events were “ne’er the twain would meet”. ry bodies are encouraged to respond to £3M to fund the first phase of the to show, things don’t always turn out

community needs in a more coordinat- A number of newsletters were pro- refurbishment programme (In fact the as expected.

It was decided early on to consult as widely as possible, regarding the development of a housing

policy for the area

The Ballymun Task Force Report to the Minister for the Environment, 1988

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Phase 1 Refurbishment In selecting the area for the phase 1 refurbishment programme the Task Force stuck to the principle of consul­tation and consensus decision. For strategic reasons the Task Force was prepared to recommend Joseph Plunkett Tower and Balbutcher Lane flats, because it was felt that starting the programme in an area that was highly visible, would raise up the spir­its of the community and give hope where there was mainly despair. The Task Force invited all the local tenant organisations to a meeting to hear a report on the Department of the Environment proposal for refurbish­ment and discuss the recommendation for the phase 1 area. The recommen­dation was approved and a further meeting was agreed in order to select phases 2 and 3.

The Dublin Corporation Architect who was co-opted onto the Task Force, then started a process of in-depth consulta­tion with the tenants of the phase 1 flats.

Phase 1 Refurbishment 1991 / 1993 Following the planning stage, work began on refurbishing Joseph Plunkett Tower and Balbutcher Lane flats (282 in all) and representatives of Joseph Plunkett Tower and Balbutcher Lane tenants associations were co-opted onto Ballymun Task Force.

During the refurbishment the tenants remained living in their flats and so the building and renewal work was a source of major inconvenience. Early on, a fortnightly meeting for feedback and liaison was established involving all of the parties concerned with the refurbishment i.e. the Project Architect. Tenant Associations, the

Task Force, Dublin Corporation Community Section, both main Contractors and later on the local Gardai.

This liaison was convened by the Architect, and was crucial in guaran­teeing that the views of tenants and workers alike were both expressed and listened to. From these meetings it was possible to gauge the success or failure of certain works and where appropri­ate, to change them. For example, ten­ants pointed out that some of the rail­ings around the Neighbourhood Park were too low and this was rectified before workers left the site.

As the amount of work being done inside and out side the flats increased, more and more co-operation was required from the tenants. To facilitate this, the Task Force, alongside the Tenants Associations in the Phase One area, established a network of people who would act as contacts between the builders and their immediate neigh­bours.

These “Networkers’ proved to he a huge asset in terms of feeding back tenants complaints and in distributing information to tenants on the work about to be carried out. For example, if a stairway was to be sand blasted, the Networkers would inform their imme­diate neighbours to keep their children away from the stairs that day. The Networks were a source of great sup­port especially to the Tenant Association committees. They also had a role in the facilitation of the concierge (Security) system, ensuring that children did not interfere, arrang­ing for times to pick-up keys, etc. Without the Networks a huge amount of time would have had to be spent calling to individuals households with

Dublin Corporation Architects ­Putting New Thinking into Practice

Dublin Corporation Architects Department had been given a brief to ‘put Ballymun on the road environmentally’. The architect assigned to Ballymun Mr. John Heagney, had a particular interest in community architecture, which had become a growing international movement during the 1980s and whose basic principle was that: “the built environment works better if the people who live, work and play in it are actively involved in its creation and management instead of being treated as passive consumers” This meant that the architect was more than willing to work alongside a community-based group. He became a full member of the Task Force. The skills he brought strengthened the technical work involved in preparing the refurbish­ment proposals.

Officiating at the launch of the plans for Phase 1 refurbishment - 1988. (Balbutcher Lane and Joseph Plunkett Tower)

John Heagney - Dublin Corporation Architect, Mary Whelan - Independent Task Force Chair,Tony Moriarty - Task Force Secretary, Brendan Bent - Community

Coalition Chair,Valerie Langstone - Community Delegate.

information. Because of a lack of following five options relating to the Coalition and Dublin Corporation. All resources there is a good chance that flats: responses basically supported Option very little direct communication A. Minimal Works to be carried out on ‘C’ of the Craig Gardner Report. would have happened with household- the flats. ers. This in turn could have led to B. Continue refurbishment on a much In order to gauge which of the Craig increased frustration on both the ten- reduced time-scale. Gardner / Price Waterhouse options ants and contractors part. C. A balance of full refurbishment and would be preferred by the community,

demolition/new-build. a survey of opinion was commissioned Craig Gardner /Price D. Full refurbishment of the flats to and carried out by Fitzpatrick Market Waterhouse Evaluation new standard. Research. As the work on the Phase 1 flats E. Clearance and redevelopment of the neared completion, the Task Force pre- whole estate. Dublin Corporation / Task Force pared for the continuation of the Issue Proposals rolling programme of refurbishment. The Ballymun Compact In 1995, following a period of debate However, the Department of the 1. Residents involvement in securing on the way forward, Dublin Environment insisted that before a the estate. Corporation and Ballymun Task Force decision could be made regarding fur- 2.Devolution of Corporation Services. each submitted proposals (based on ther phases of the refurbishment pro- 3. Residents involvement in managing option ‘C’ of the Craig Gardner gramme, the Phase 1 would have to be the estate. Report) to the Department of the evaluated to see if it had achieved its In order to gauge which of the Craig Environment. The proposals would objectives. A team of Irish and British Gardner / Price Waterhouse options deliver a mixed development of demo-Consultants, Craig Gardner / Price would be preferred by the community, lition of six of the tower blocks, to be Waterhouse would carry out the evalu- a survey of opinion was commissioned replaced by 540 new houses and refur­ation. and carried out by Fitzpatrick Market bishment of the remainder of the flats.

Research. The Evaluation In carrying out the Evaluation the The figures from the Fitzpatrick Consultants canvassed opinion not Market Research survey basically only in the Phase 1 blocks, but also showed that there was no substantial among the wider community, assisted preference for any particular Craig by the Task Force with the Community Gardner / Price Waterhouse option Delegates who played an important above the others. facilitative role. Craig Gardner / Price Waterhouse issued their Report in The Task Force and Ballymun August 1993. Community Coalition were obviously

left in a quandary and took time to The Consultant’s Report can be bro- consider both the Craig Gardner / ken into two broad headings: Price Waterhouse Report and the 1. The structural renewal option. Fitzpatrick Market Research survey. 2. The Ballymun Compact (agree- In June 1995, responses to the Craig

ment) Gardner / Price Waterhouse Report were provided to the Department of

The structural renewal option the Environment by the Ballymun The Report issued the following the Task Force, Ballymun Community

The Phase 1 refurbishment (1991 to 1993) consisted of 282 flats -Balbutcher Lane flats (above) and Joseph Plunkett Tower

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www.ballymun-nc.ie

The Celtic Tiger Hugs Ballymun On September 24, 1996, the Task Force (including Community Delegates, Constituency T.D.s, Dublin Corporation and Minister of State, Prionsias De Rossa) met with the then Minister for the Environment, Mr. Brendan Howlin T.D. and the Minister of State, Liz McManus T.D.

The Minister acknowledged the work of the Task Force, Community Coalition and the Ballymun communi­ty in seeking solutions to the problems that affected the community. He then said that he had considered the propos­als brought to his table, but pointed that issues relating to the outer cladding of the flats would add greatly to the costs of refurbishing the flats. However Ballymun flats would need another costly refurbishment pro-gramme in about another fifteen years. Having discussed the issue with the

The Minister said that he and his Department would be requesting Dublin corporation to: • Set up a company to oversee the

regeneration programme. • Prepare a basic plan of building

sites within four months. • Prepare a basic plan of New-build

houses. Minister Howlin confirmed these new proposals in a letter to Ballymun Task Force on April 18,1997.

The new Company (Ballymun Regeneration Ltd) would be separate from Dublin Corporation. However it was recognised and accepted that Dublin Corporation was and would remain the Landlord of the Ballymun Area and therefore there would have to be strong links between both organisa­tions. At the same time the Task Force would need reorganising in order to face the challenges ahead. This reor-

Training for Forums pays.

ganisation included a name change from Ballymun Housing Task Force to Ballymun Neighbourhood Council.

The Development of Neighbourhood Forums Between late 1997 and early 1998 the Task Force and Dublin Corporation agreed to create local democratically elected area Forums. At that time the tenant associations and Community Councils had become almost defunct. It had been agreed on the Task Force that over a period the Forums repre­sentatives would replace the Community Coalition representatives on the Task Force. At that time the Coalition was itself in decline, a vic­tim of its own successes. Forum

issues e.g. housing allocations, main­tenance and anti-social behaviour, would take its toll on the best of us. However many of the Forum members persevered and it is thanks to them that the community still maintains a strong voice.

On top of their monthly Forum meet­ings, they also have sub-committees on estate management and regenera­tion affairs. Make no mistake about it, the Forum members do not pull their punches in trying to ensure that good estate management and regeneration practices are put in place so that all the community can benefit.

Local tenant/resident organisations are invited to participate in the work of the forums on the basis that ‘In unity is strength’.

The Ballymun Health Centre Campaign A practical example of the way the Forums co-operate on Ballymun-wide issues was illustrated by the recent Ballymun Health Centre campaign. The Health Board had agreed to utilise a huge space in the Ballymun Civic Offices to replace the existing, outdat­ed health centre. However for mysti­fying reasons, it seemed that they have dithered on their commitment.

When Ballymun Neighbourhood Council was made aware of the situa-

Fr. Frank Brady and Ciaran Murray, BRL

tion, they decided to ‘bring in the Cavalry’ to fight the issue. So the Forums were notified and they promptly set about developing an

The out-dated Ballymun Health Centre

Ciaran Murray or “Ciaran” as he is known by all and sundry in Ballymun today.

For its advocacy work over the years on behalf of Ballymun, the Task Force was nominated to be the Liaison Body that would work with Dublin Corporation, BRL and the Ballymun community, during the transition from a local authority estate to a new, sus­tainable town incorporating local authority and private residents.

BRL Consultation The consultation period leading to and after the publishing of the Ballymun Masterplan and consultation on the new housing proposals must have been a fairly stressful period for BRL staff. The Ballymun regeneration pro-gramme, the most ambitious urban regeneration programme in the history of the State was never going to be an easy task.

• Today, seven years after BRL was initiated, perceptions are changing:

• More than 500 new dwellings are now occupied.

• Over 500 more dwellings are near­ing completion.

• The new Main Street is fast taking shape.

• Ballymun Civic Offices is complete • Neighbourhood Centres are nearing

completion. • One tower block, one eight-storey

and four by four-storey blocks are demolished and three others tower

Elections to the Area Forums take place again in early 2005.Would you like to get involved to help ensure a successful future for the new Ballymun? Your ideas are welcome.

Forum Areas: Poppintree - Silloge Sandyhill and Balcurris Forums Please Contact: Tom Moran 01-8832164 (Monday/Friday 9.30am-5pm).

Forum Areas: Coultry and Shangan Forums Please Contact: Siobhan Guyatt 01-8832154 (times as above)

blocks are being demolished. • Private shops and apartments are

being built. • New parks and recreational facilities

are already taking shape. • BRL have successfully lobbied for

the giant IKEA store.

At the “Open Day” consultation for the Ballymun Master Plan

Half-way through the regeneration programme, Ballymun is finally taking its place in the Sun, thanks to the ded­ication and perseverance of many Ballymun residents and others. Nevertheless, strong community sup­port will continue to be required until the regeneration programme is completed.

Department of Finance, the Minister was now suggesting that in relation to the long-term, viable future of Ballymun, an urban regeneration pro-gramme for Ballymun that would allow for all the mistakes of the past to be rectified might be the best solution. If changes were to be made to the plans which were on the table, it would present an historic opportunity for Ballymun to be the first communi­ty to virtually design its own town, he said.

For the Community Delegates, this was almost like all their Christmases coming together. Because of the poor economic situation that afflicted Ireland during the 1970s and ‘80s, even a refurbishment programme for Ballymun would have needed very strong Cabinet support. However the Celtic Tiger cub had recently arrived in Ireland and was growing larger by the day. A regeneration Programme could therefore allow Ballymun to share in the new economic situation.

Moving the Process Forward In April 17, 1997 the Task Force and Dublin Corporation again met with Minister Howlin.

Elections again took place in 2000 and further elections are due in early 2005.

The Forums were originally set up to deal with estate management issues, but with the onset of the regeneration programme, they faced a double daunting task. Clearly it has been an extremely stressful period for Forum members. Having to deal with the many issues that surround the regener­ation programme while trying also to deal with the estate management

ongoing campaign to ensure that the Civic Offices would be utilised by the health Board.

The Birth of Ballymun Regeneration Ltd (BRL) The monumental task of building this new Company (best known by its ini­tials BRL) and finding staff with the wherewithal to develop regeneration proposals and with the ability to empathise with the Ballymun commu­nity, fell on the shoulders of Mr.

Volume 7 Issue 1 7BBaallllyymmuunn CCoonnccrreettee NNeewwss • January 2005

Centre Manager Martin Griffin

Ph/Fax 8420407

BALLYMUN TOWN SHOPPING CENTRE Directory of Stores & Services

IVAX

“Asthma Awareness Month” Joseph O’Deas Pharmacy, Ballymun Joseph O’Deas Pharmacy has served the Ballymun community for over 30 years. Specialists in healthcare advice, Edward and his experienced staff take pride in their attention to detail when it comes to your healthcare needs. Coughs, colds, wheezes and sneezes are common in the cold month of February and for this reason Edward and his team will take special interest in the condition of Asthma. In the following arti­cles they have also decided to highlight a few important points concerning asthma care. There are almost 400,000 asthmatics in Ireland so if you are one of them – READ ON!

Asthma – The Facts! • Asthma is the second most common respiratory condition in Ireland • 30% of young children are treated with inhalers at some stage of their lives • Ireland has the forth largest asthma population in the world – behind America,Australia and the UK. • We have the fastest growing asthma population in Europe • Only 8% of asthma patients achieve full control of their symptoms due to poor inhaler technique and lack of awareness with medication. • If you are an asthmatic and experience asthma symptoms on a daily basis we at Joseph O’Deas would like to help. Changing small aspects of your daily routine may help you control your symptoms so keep reading!

Remember!! Asthma is a condition which can be controlled with regular medications and most asthma patients

live a normal and active lifestyle. If you have any concerns or questions about your asthma ensure to talk to your doctor or nurse.

Asthma Advice Day Joseph O’Deas Pharmacy

Asthma Nurse Advisor, Ms. Miriam Crone, Ivax Pharmaceuticals will be giving advice to all asthma patients on such topics: • How to treat asthma • Inhaler Devices • Inhalation Technique

Will be held in Joseph O’Deas Pharmacy, Ballymun Shopping Centre, Ballymun, D9, Thursday 27th of January 2005

Book appointment by contacting pharmacy on 01 8421647

Sponsored by:

“My child has been recently diagnosed with Asthma – What is Asthma?” Asthma is a common long term condition in which the tubes which carry air in and out of the lungs (airways) are very sensitive to certain sub­stances (trigger factors).These triggers cause the airways to become swollen (inflamed) and nar­rower. As these become swollen the lining pro­duces thick mucus which can lead to the small airways becoming blocked.

As a result of the increased sensitivity in the lin­ing of the airways the muscles around the breath­ing tubes tighten when certain substances are breathed in and cause the symptoms of asthma.

“What are the symptoms of Asthma?” The four main symptoms of asthma are cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and chest tightness.

“When I play football my asthma wors­ens” – “Is this a trigger factor?” Yes, many things can trigger an asthma attack and it is important to try to avoid or reduce contact with these.When exercise causes an increase in symptoms it is advised that asthmatics take two puffs of their reliever (blue inhaler) before per­forming these exercises.

Other irritants which may cause problems are house dust mites, animals, or cold viruses. It is advisable to try to minimise the presence of these factors in your home in order to reduce irritation of the airways. Keep pets outdoors – sorry fido!

Cigarette smoke is not only harmful to healthy lungs it is also a trigger for asthma sufferers so it

is important that asthmatics avoid smoky environments.

Certain foods can produce symptoms e.g. orange coloured drinks and milks.

Pollen may also irritate nasal or airway passages so it is advised to take precautions to reduce exposure to flowers and grass if necessary. Many asthmatics also suffer from a condition called rhinitis which affects the nasal passages. If you suffer from sneezing, a runny or blocked nose consult your local doctor.

My Inhalers – How do they work? Asthma treatment consists of two main types of medication. Reliever medications relax the smooth muscle around the airway, resulting in control of symptoms such as breathlessness, coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. If an asth­ma patient needs to use their reliever inhaler daily it is a sign that their asthma is not controlled and they should see a doctor.

Reliever medications are available in either short acting formulations for immediate relief or long acting as part as patients’ regular daily treatment. Preventer medications treat the inflammation in

the lining of the airway and therefore reduce the frequency and severity of

symptoms.These medications must be taken daily to be effective in pre­

venting asthma symptoms. Inhaled preventer medications contain low dose steroids whish are safe to take over long periods at the recommend­

ed doses.

COMMON ASTHMA QUESTIONS

CentrepointTesco 8421011 Hairdresser’s 8424484Penthouse Licenced Jons Newsagent’s 8421308Premises 8420074 Xtra-Vision 8420092Penthouse Off­Fred’s Fashions 8621935Licence 8420074 Ballymun Fruit & Veg 086-0848796Sharon’s Restaurant D3 Express Coffee& Take-Away 8622331 Kiosk 8322885ODC Chemist 8421842 J.J. Sports 087-4137224Bargainland 8424005 Aspect Blinds 84201075th Avenue 8420242 Spar 8424533Shoetown 8425714 Saigon City 8620997Macari’s Take Away 8425288 Molloy’s LiquorCheckers Cabs 8343434 Store 8428189Kitchen Take-Away 8427545 Ballymun Partnership 8423612Ladbrokes 8420632 Mater Child & FamilyThrifty Pound 8625405 Centre 8420319Dept. of Social Tuas Nua 8429628Welfare 8427433 Urrus 8425726Bally mun Meats 8420972 Primary HealthImage Beauty Salon 8625700 Care, Unit 6 8869100Joseph O’Dea Ltd. 8421647 Ballymun SwimmingBallymun Credit Pool 8421368Union 8425611 Ballymun Snooker &M.A.B.S. 8620059 Leisure 8426155Accord 8621508 Ballymun GardaBallymun Post Office 8424526 Station 6664400Allied Irish Bank 8420285 Bizzie Lizzie Florist 8623766Towers Licensed The Gift BoxPremises 8425499 Jewelers 086-8671520Paddy Power Carboni’s Café 8425288Bookmakers 8425866 Ballymun Job Centre 8425722Miss Mary’s 8426495

Message from Domonic Byrne, General Manager,Tesco Ballymun

Tesco are pleased to announce that Tesco Ireland this week handed over a cheque for a whopping € 1,013,000 (one million and thirteen

thousand) to CHILDLINE their chosen charity for 2004. Tesco Ballymun collected a total of € 18,100 from various organized activi­ties in the store and the Shopping Centre during the year, making it

the 5th highest amount from any store in the country, and the highest amount from any store in Dublin.

Great credit is due to the people of Ballymun who contributed so generously to this very worthwhile charity and we thank you all sin­cerely. Our chosen charity for 2005 is the Irish Hospice Foundation

– we look forward to your continued support.

Ballymun Town Centre Serving the people of Ballymun for over 30 years.

8 Volume 7 Issue 1 BBaallllyymmuunn CCoonnccrreettee NNeewwss • January 2005

It’s IKEA again Exclusive report and photos by Seamus Kelly

The government’s decision to amend planning guidelines to allow IKEA to set up a major Swedish furniture superstore in Ballymun has been warmly welcomed by Minister Noel Ahern T.D and local F/F Councillor Julia Carmichael but has stirred up some anger with Sinn Fein Councillors.

Minister Noel Ahern

The revised retail planning guidelines in specified town and city areas will effec­tively lift the current 6,000 square metre cap on floor-space for certain develop­ments.

Both Cllrs Ray Corcoran and Dessie Ellis S/F, while welcoming the 500 plus jobs IKEA will bring to Ballymun, reject the changing of planning guidelines and want guarantees that jobs go to locals.. Noel Ahern, Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, also welcoming the decision said, “Representatives of Ballymun Regeneration Limited and IKEA have been in negotiations for some time with a view to bringing this major, international furniture retailing operation to the Ballymun area.”

“Any such development in Ballymun has the potential to make a major contribu­tion to the Government’s urban renewal programme as it relates to the Ballymun area, not least because of the resulting training and job opportunities now avail­able for local people.”

Cllr Carmichael, Ballymun/Whitehall, commented, “There has been much debate surrounding the possible opening of an IKEA store in Ballymun. I don’t think anyone would deny the huge bene­fit such a store could bring to the local people in the area both in terms of employment and investment.”

However, Sinn Fein councillor Dessie Ellis stated that while local jobs are wel­come, “government policy should not be dictated by multi-national corporations.”

“The Minister responsible basically crumbled in the face of intense pressure from IKEA to allow a development sev­eral times larger than the current maxi­mum permitted,” alleged Cllr Ellis.

Councillor Ray Corcoran (SF)

”It has been shown elsewhere that build­ing massive out of town retail outlets has a severe detrimental effect on smaller and indigenous retailers who have abided by the current guidelines. It also has a massive effect on local communities and the environment.”

Ballymun based Sinn Fein representa­tive, Cllr Ray Corcoran, stated “While the decision will result in some badly needed employment opportunities in an area that has suffered decades of neglect by local authorities and the government, Ballymun really needs investment in diverse employment opportunities.”

“But putting all your eggs in one basket is no solution to the decades of neglect suffered by the people of Ballymun. I would also point out that there is no guar­antee that all the jobs resulting from this decision will be local.”

BELLYMUN by Fiachra O’ Cionnaith

Bellymun an exciting new project involving thirteen women from St Margaret’s Travellers site, to create cultural aware­ness between Travellers and the settled people in Ballymun was unveiled by the launch of a DVD and booklet presentation in Axis last month.

The ‘Bellymun’ project, which celebrated Traveller’s unique culture, was formed by Natascha Fischell and commis­sioned by Breaking Ground, Ballymun’s per­cent for art scheme.

The superb images includ­ed colourful pictures of traditional foods, combin­ing photography, painting and embroidery, which

helped highlight ancient Traveller tales.

These works were then presented as gifts to local social hot-spots in the Ballymun shopping Centre

A group spokeswoman recalled: “The older women in the group remi­nisced about how they used to cook outdoors – and the younger ones were amazed! It was an absolutely beautiful day.”

A special DVD filmed by the women, and booklet celebrating two years of non-stop work on the proj­ect is now available from Maria Carnicier at St Margaret’s on 01-8622144.

Martina Maughan reading a poem that she wrote from the 'Bellymun' booklet and DVD launched in Axis in December.

DES BISHOP Des Bishop donates a tree for amaptocare in Shangan

pictured with students from Ballymun

Comprehensive transition year.