John Gormley

Following the sudden lock-out of residents from the public park in Dartmouth Square, Dublin 6, Green Party Chairman and local TD John Gormley (Dublin South East) has called on Dublin City Council to verify the land ownership status of all public parks in its charge.

Deputy Gormley said today that, “Residents were shocked to learn that Dublin City Council did not own this important public amenity, despite the fact that it has been maintaining the space since 1987. People are entitled to expect that ownership disputes should not lead to the closure of public open spaces, which is why the City Council must verify the ownership of all their public parks. Where potential disputes are identified, immediate steps must be taken to ensure that parks can remain open in any event.”

Deputy Gormley also called on the City Council to ensure the swift re-opening of Dartmouth Square. “Dublin City Council has invested a great deal of public money in this park over the years, and re-opening to the public is the only option. Dublin City Council has assured me that this is also their aim. I believe the Council should exercise every option available, including compulsory purchase if this becomes necessary,” Mr Gormley concluded.

255. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he has taken to deal with the continuing problem of drunkenness and rowdiness in the Ranelagh area; if he has plans to deal with this problem; if he will agree to more cycle patrols in the Ranelagh area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16594/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): Garda authorities have informed me that high priority is given to the policing of anti-social behaviour. In Dublin, Operation Encounter is a Garda initiative aimed at providing high visibility Garda foot patrols in areas where large numbers of people socialise late at night and in the early morning. It is aimed at dealing effectively with public order issues, especially problems associated with drunkenness. This proactive initiative is kept under constant review by local Garda management and tailored to meet circumstances at any given time. The Garda authorities regard Operation Encounter as effective and intend that it will continue.
I am also informed that local Garda management is currently exploring the possibility of operating cycle patrols that would incorporate the Ranelagh area.
In order to deal with the problems caused by the abuse of alcohol, I brought forward tough new provisions in the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 and the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003. I have also put forward proposals in the Criminal Justice Bill 2004 and intend to bring forward further proposals for inclusion in the Bill.
Finally, I would advise the Deputy that there was a drop of 21%, over 1,000 incidents in the number of assaults causing harm for 2003 compared to 2002. This downward trend has continued in 2004 and the first quarter of 2005. Furthermore, there was a drop of 14%, over 1,000 incidents in the number of lesser assaults for 2003 compared to 2002 and a drop of 9% in public damage for 2003 compared to 2002.

 1043. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to increase funding for the Lios na nÓg crèche in Ranelagh, Dublin. [21538/04]
 
   Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): As the Deputy may be aware, this community based group was approved a staffing grant of  €88,461, over three years, in September 2000.  The Deputy should note that support towards staffing costs under the equal opportunities child care programme 2000-06 is only made available to those projects which can demonstrate they are providing child care in areas of significant disadvantage and are supporting parents to access employment, education or training.
  Subsequently, this community group was awarded a capital grant of  €64,420 in July 2002.  In November 2003, the group was awarded staffing continuation funding of  € 0,000 to cover the period up to the end of 2004.  At that point, the programme appraisal committee was advised that the level of funding recommended was sufficient to provide the service being offered by the group and the level of disadvantage in the area.  There are no plans at present to review the level of funding being made available to this particular group until the end of the current year.
  As a large number of projects are now beginning to come to the end of their original funding cycle, the priorities of the staffing measure of the programme are being re-examined in light of the available resources.  Staffing grant assistance was intended to offer support for a limited number of years to community based child care projects which focus on disadvantage during the period when their services developed and as they moved towards sustainability.  Proposals in respect of ongoing staffing supports to groups whose original funding or continuation funding elapses shortly are currently being developed in my Department.  In this context, it is expected that only those groups which clearly provide child care services for families with significant levels of disadvantage and where the parents are in employment, education or training will receive ongoing staffing supports under the equal opportunities child care programme 2000-06.