THE future financing of several local programmes in Ballymun is unclear following a decision to end funding for social projects by 2017 as the area’s physical regeneration is deemed complete.
Funding for a range of social regeneration projects has previously been allocated through the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to Dublin City Council.
The funding was allocated from the Department’s capital budget for regeneration. However, as the physical regeneration in Ballymun is now considered complete, its funding for social projects is due to cease in 2017.
Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Simon Coveney, outlined the department’s position in response to a question from Sinn Fein TD, Eoin Ó Broin.
“My department advised the Council in 2015 that, while it is committed to continuing to support social initiatives in the short term, funding would cease over time,” he said.
“This would allow the council and the groups that it funded adequate time to seek alternative, sustainable sources of funding for their work.
“In this respect, I have made available €1.7 million to Dublin City Council for funding for social regeneration activities in Ballymun during 2016.
“My Department will work with the city council on a transition over the coming years from funding provided under the Regeneration programme.”
However, local Sinn Fein councillor, Noeleen Reilly, is unimpressed with the minister’s response.
“It frustrates me greatly that Minister Coveney is washing his hands of the regeneration in Ballymun,” she said.
“He has even gone as far to state that the Physical regeneration of Ballymun is complete.
“This couldn’t be further from the truth.
“All of this is an attempt to justify taking €1.7 m from Social
regeneration in Ballymun next year. This money goes towards social disadvantage in the area and many of the groups who receive this funding will simply not survive.”
Cllr Reilly pointed to Ballymun’s “dilapidated shopping centre” as an example of how the regeneration was still in need of investment.
“There is also lots of prime land in the area zoned for housing but at present it cannot be developed as drainage works were not completed during the regeneration as again the budget was cut,” she added.
Cllr Reilly is calling on the minister to visit Ballymun to satisfy himself that the regeneration is not complete.