Following the February Lucan-Palmerstown-North Clondalkin Area Committee meeting held recently, a motion put down by local Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh sought to defer a recent South Dublin County Council proposal to licence the SDC Partnership to manage the running of two local community centres. The motion to defer this seemingly imminent move was passed.
Cllr Ó Brádaigh said: “The motion I had down followed my own consultation and period of listening with both the councils considered position but also importantly from those involved in the daily running of the centres, groups and individual users, together with representations made directly to me by members of the local community. I welcome the decision by the council to defer which I have always felt was a very reasonable request by all those making it at this stage.
“As a councillor, I have a responsibility to listen carefully to the wishes and concerns of the community raising them. The need to strengthen good centre governance and the need for some oversight guidance is acknowledged by most, however there must be a period that allows for due process to enable all involved to have their concerns formally and properly heard, and to examine potential ways in which to assist in the improved daily management of the centres.
“In this instance there is in my view, ample evidence that there needs to firstly be a deferral from the hurrying along transition to licencing the SDC Partnership. A two year stand in ‘Interim’ period by SDC Partnership as proposed by the Council in response to the motion seemed unclear and to be without any absolute assurances either.
“There are legitimate worries by some within the centres and the impact that this would have upon them and those availing of the services they have provided for the residents in the community and nearby for so long – furthermore there is sense of family and community investment that, beyond any physical ownership, that dates back with some affection to the 1980’s and the selfless funding by locals and their parents that contributed greatly to realising the opening of the centres at a time of high unemployment and when money was tight. This is a sacrifice that must be taken into account”!
