Vital Ballymun fund secured for future

BALLYMUN’S €1.7 million Social Regeneration Fund is secure for 2017 it was revealed following a recent visit to the area by the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

The financing of several local programmes in Ballymun had been uncertain following a decision to end funding for social projects such as Axis as the area’s physical regeneration is deemed complete.

However, Minister Simon Coveney came under pressure from local politicians who called on him to reverse the decision, which would have left local projects depending on Dublin City Council for funding.

Local Fine Gael TD, Noel Rock, recently confirmed that an agreement regarding the €1.7 million fund had been reached, meaning the money will still be available up to and beyond the end of 2017.

The agreement between Minister Coveney’s department and Dublin City Council will see the council eventually taking over financing for the local projects on a phased basis over the next four years.

“The structure of the handover is a little bit complex, but in effect assures that the Department will fully directly fund these projects up to and including the end of 2017,” said Deputy Rock.

“The funding will then transfer sequentially from the Department to Dublin City Council.”

“This deal assures the future for a number of worthy organisations such as Axis in Ballymun, and I was glad to speak to them to confirm the details.

“I was glad to have Minister Coveney visit Ballymun and am grateful for his direct role in assuring this outcome and the certainty that it provides.

“I am satisfied with this outcome, and it is simply the first step of many big plans for a brighter future for Ballymun.”

Sinn Féin Councillor, Noeleen Reilly, welcomed the news and called on Minister Coveney to continue to invest in Ballymun.

“It was made very clear to the Minister when he visited Ballymun the community was very concerned about the cessation of the Social Regeneration fund at the end of this year,” she said.

“I am delighted the Minister has listened to the community and political representatives and this funding will continue for the foreseeable future.”

Fianna Fail councillor, Paul McAuliffe, also welcomed confirmation that the fund would continue.

He also said that while Ballymun’s rehousing project was complete, the area still needed funding as the community still has social and economic issues that need to be addressed.

“A key objective of our confidence and supply agreement with Fine Gael was to increase funding to disadvantaged areas through the Local Authorities,” he added.

“Extending the social regeneration fund will achieve that objective in the Ballymun area.

“I particularly welcome Minister Coveney’s engagement in the Ballymun area and hope that his department will continue to work with us to fulfil the promise made to the people of Ballymun to create a vibrant and prosperous village.”