Tallaght News 27th June by Newsgroup

27th June 2022

HUGE INCREASES IN WAITING TIMES FOR JIGSAW REQUIRE URGENT ACTION

Dublin Mid West TD Mark Ward has said increases in waiting times for the Jigsaw youth mental health service are worrying. Teachta Ward has called on the Minister to urgently engage with the service to provide a solution. Waiting times for an appointment with Jigsaw are currently up to 18 weeks, with some areas seeing a 700% increase in the length of waiting times. Teachta Ward said: “Figures released to me

by the HSE through a Parliamentary Question have shown there are significant wait times for first appointments with Jigsaw, the mental health service which provides vital supports to young people.

“Demand for the Jigsaw service in my area and across the State continues to grow. As a result, youths are waiting up to 19 weeks to get an appointment, with young people currently waiting 16 weeks. “There are 2016 children waiting

on a first appointment nationally. 272 of these children are from my own area. “There has been an 88% increase in the length of waiting times in Dublin South West. In 2021 it was a 9-week waiting time for a first appointment but that has increased to 17 weeks. “Every expert in child and adolescent mental health will tell you that early intervention is absolutely vital in avoiding enduring and worsening problems in the future. “Yet, these figures reveal that if a

child or young person seeks out care they are in all likelihood going to be faced with extended waiting periods which are simply unacceptable and put them and their mental health at a very serious risk. “Jigsaw has experienced a 25% increase in the demand for their services and this cry for help from our young people cannot fall on deaf ears. “This increase in waiting time is most notable in Galway. In 2019 Galway had a 2 week waiting time for a first appointment, it currently stands at 16 weeks, which is a staggering 700 % increase in the length of time vulnerable children are left waiting on a vital service. “Uniformed mental health treatment is needed so our young people can access the care they need, when they need it and where they need it. We need to move away from the postcode lottery for mental health treatment. “I have called on the Minister to urgently engage with the service to provide a solution.”

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VOLUNTEERS AWARDED HONORARY FREEDOM OF THE COUNTY

The Honorary Freedom of South Dublin County was

conferred on South Dublin Community Volunteers at a

ceremony in County Hall, Tallaght on Friday 24th June. Elected members of South Dublin County Council agreed to honour the South Dublin Community Volunteers in recognition of their overall achievements with an emphasis on the incredible work carried out over the last two years. South Dublin Community volunteers were at the coalface of the testing and vaccinating centres during

Covid 19 pandemic and now are at the forefront of welcoming and aiding Ukrainian refugees. The Honorary Freedom of the County is the highest civic honour that can be bestowed upon an individual/group by South Dublin County Council.

The honour is reserved for those who have made exceptional or unique contributions to the common good or to persons who have made outstanding

contributions to South Dublin County. The Mayor of South Dublin County, Councillor Peter Kavanagh, said at the event that, “To volunteer is to give of oneself freely to the community.

life as we know it would be bereft. These volunteers here tonight not only give of themselves freely and without hesitation, they are paragons of community spirit, lifesavers, angels and above all, heroes.

Volunteerism underpins all of our villages, towns, cities and indeed our country. Without Tidy Towns, Community Councils, Lions Clubs, Active Retirement Associations, sports clubs, walking groups and more,

I am proud to enter the South Dublin Community Volunteers on the roll of honour here in South Dublin, where they join a very short and exclusive list of the very best citizens the county has ever known.”

Cllr Peter Kavanagh Mayor of South Dublin with Fiona Sweeney in County Hall where South Dublin Community Volunteers have received the Freedom of the County Published by: Newsgroup, Unit 3 Floor 2 St. Dominics Shopping Centre, St. Dominics Road, Tallaght, Dublin, D24 HK49. Titles: Tallaght News, Clondalkin News, Lucan News and Rathcoole & Saggart News Distributed by: Local Post Co. Contact Details: Website www.newsgroup.ie

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South Dublin Community Volunteers at County Hall. Pics Credit: Ben Ryan

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LUCAN’S NEW LOCAL – NOW OPEN

The Foxhunter, Lucan’s much loved pub, has finally reopened its doors, with the brand new addition of an Elephant & Castle restaurant next door, ample parking with electric charge points and coming soon an onsite car valet service. The iconic venue, located on the N4, started its life as a roadside public house in the early 1900s and has sat idle since closing in 2012. Following an impressive refurbishment, its here will bring a great Dublin institution back to life and

provide a new destination for quality food, drink and hospitality to the Lucan community. What to expect? Great drinks, warm service, live music, and good craic! The Foxhunter has been thoughtfully restored to its former glory as a cosy, traditional pub. With ample seating throughout, plenty of snugs, screens for catching all the sport, a large central bar, and a dedicated events space, it is the perfect destination

for any occasion. Once the home of jazz in Lucan, The Foxhunter was a known locally as a hub for great music. The newly opened Foxhunter will be bringing back and celebrating our musical heritage with live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. Local legends, The Jazz Freaks, who played weekly at The Foxhunter for 25 years until its closure in 2012 will be kicking us off with a reunion gig on Sunday 26th June from 1-2:30pm. The Foxhunter Pub will have WOWBURGER available for anyone feeling peckish, the perfect accompaniment to a cool pint. The in-house WOWBURGER kitchen will serve up its famous double patty wonders, hand cut fries, shakes and sundaes for dine in or takeaway. For private functions and events, The Elm Room is the perfect spot for parties of up to 60. The dedicated events space has a private bar and access to a spacious

seated outdoor terrace. Speaking at the opening of The Foxhunter, General Manager Paul Hopkins said ‘We are thrilled to finally reopen the doors to The Foxhunter and welcome the community back to this great institution. Between the Foxhunter Pub, Elephant & Castle, our kids area, and the lovely outdoor terrace, there is really something for everyone’. Elephant & Castle will open next door to The Foxhunter in a brand new restaurant and outdoor terrace, serving up its world famous wings and all day dining favourites, as well as its classic weekend brunch. The large central bar will offer a full drinks service, with wine, beer and cocktails on offer. Known as one of Ireland’s top family friendly restaurants, Elephant & Castle is the perfect destination for the whole herd. Elephant & Castle’s latest outpost in

Lucan will feature a huge dedicated kids play area with giant-sized games, a climbing wall and castle, movie screen, bean bags and more. Book in to enjoy a meal at Elephant & Castle knowing the whole family will be kept entertained! Three of Dublin’s top takeaway brands – Coo Coo Indian, Double 8 Dumplings, and RICE Chinese – are set to expand their reach in Dublin with new kitchens launching at the Foxhunter

location from July, with takeaway and delivery available. The new complex will have a large car park, onsite car valet and electric vehicle charge points, making The Foxhunter and Elephant & Castle the tastiest spot to fuel up before hitting the road to Galway from Dublin. Bookings for Elephant & Castle can be made at elephantandcastle.ie or on 01- 2243437

For event enquiries and bookings for Foxhunter Pub please visit foxhunter.ie

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CLONDALKIN SWIMMING POOL BACK IN FULL OPERATIONAL CAPACITY Cllr William Carey has welcomed the news that

the long running saga of the broken boom at Clondalkin

swimming pool has finally come to an end. Recently,

CALLS FOR FULL-TIME LIBRARY SERVICE IN PALMERSTOWN Workers’ Party representative David Gardiner, while welcoming the Saturday opening hours currently being piloted in Palmerstown Library Digital Hub, has called on South Dublin County Council to provide a full-time library service for the area. Gardiner said: “Palmerstown has a population of over 11,000 people, with four new housing developments either underway or proposed. As an area that’s growing, it’s vital that we have enough facilities and services on offer in the community for people to make use of.” “Although I’m glad to see that the library is piloting children’s events on Saturdays throughout May and June, this still only amounts to three days a week that it’s open at all, and we don’t even know yet if this will continue after the pilot scheme.” “The space that’s there at the moment

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isn’t exactly ideal. Many people locally will remember that where Palmerstown Library Digital Hub is now used to be a newsagent’s. Surely the council can be a bit more ambitious in providing a library service than two or three days a week in such a small unit.” “The library at Stewarts is also only open for a certain amount of hours. In fact, both of these libraries are the only two operated by the council not to open until 8pm from Monday to Thursday, according to their website.” “For some time now, the Workers’ Party has been calling for a fully-equipped and fullyfunctional library service for Palmerstown. This would provide the community at large with some of the services already there including 3D printing, public access PCs, free wifi, printing, photocopying, scanning and more, as well as events and a meeting place, but on a full-time basis.”

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Cllr Carey added that swimming clubs and those involved in the sport of swimming can get back to what they do best and maximum use of the pool can now be achieved. I am hopeful the repairs have achieved its goal and that any further issues may be dealt with in a more speedy fashion.

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SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL LAUNCHES NEW CLIMATE ACTION WEBSITE

The outgoing Mayor of South Dublin, Cllr Peter Kavanagh, launched the new South Dublin County Council Climate Action website recently www. southdublinclimate.ie. The website aims to inform the citizens of South Dublin

on climate change. Citizens can use the website to find practical solutions to reducing carbon emissions at individual and local levels, with tailored information for individuals/ families, businesses and for anyone active in the

community.The website aims to inform and educate the citizens of South Dublin on the Climate Change Action Plan 2019 – 2024, providing transparency on the execution of the plan and progress towards achieving targets.

Pictured Cllr Peter Kavanagh Mayor of South Dublin with Teresa Walsh (SDCC Director of Service), Darby Mullen, Fionnghuala Ryan (Climate Change and Environmental Awareness Officer), Ian Jackson (SDCC Environment Water and Climate Change) and Pieter Mens (SDCC Environment Water and Climate Change) in the Mayor’s Chamber for the launch of the new South Dublin Climate Change website. Photo Ben Ryan

Citizens can also use www.southdublinclimate. ie to keep up to date on latest climate news and announcements in the news section.

right decisions in making their own lives sustainable”.

Speaking at the launch of the website, the Mayor of South Dublin County, Cllr Peter Kavanagh, said, “I am delighted to launch this website to help inform the people of South Dublin on how they can live more sustainable lives. With this resource we can also keep them up to date on what their local authority is doing to fight climate change.”

www.southdublinclimate.ie is dynamic and The South Dublin Climate Team want to know what you think of

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WAIT TIMES AT TALLAGHT HOSPITAL A ‘DISGRACE’ TD for Dublin Mid West, Mark Ward has described wait times at Tallaght Hospital as a ‘disgrace’, saying that a plan to tackle hospital overcrowding is urgently needed. The average wait time for admission to Tallaght A&E was 15 hours in May 2022. Teachta Ward said: “The Sláintecare target for admission to an A&E Department is less than six hours, yet we see from the latest figures supplied by the HSE that the wait time for patients who need admission into the hospital at Tallaght A&E is 15 hours. “It is disgrace that patients are waiting so long for access to vital hospital care.

Teresa Walsh, Director of Services for the Environment, Water and Climate Change in South Dublin County Council, said “We are keen to keep the citizens of South Dublin informed on how their local authority is delivering climate action. More importantly we are keen to guide them in making the

“The lack of any coherent plan to tackle hospital overcrowding and intolerable Emergency Department wait times are completely unacceptable “We need a serious plan to reform the health service, boost capacity and staffing levels, equip our healthcare professionals and cut wait times to deliver the timely care that patients need and deserve.”

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the new website. Maybe there is something you would like to see more of or maybe there is too much of something? Let them know at climatechange@ sdublincoco.ie.

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MEN’S HEALTH WEEK WITH CLONDALKIN MEN’S SHED

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CALLS FOR INCREASE IN RETROFITTING OF COUNCIL HOMES

There have been renewed calls for an increase in funding for retrofitting of council homes. People Before Profit Councillor

Madeleine Johansson made the call following information that only 76 homes in South Dublin County Council have been

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retrofitted so far. In a reply to a question submitted by Cllr Johansson to the monthly council meeting, South Dublin County Council confirmed that only 76 homes have been completed with works ongoing on the other 41 homes that were part of the 2021 programme.

€3.2 million were provided from central government to the council in 2021 for 117 homes, with another €5.1 million for 2022 to cover another 156 homes. Delays to the 2021 works have been blamed on shortage of labour and supplies, and the late start to works due to Covid-19 restrictions. Cllr Johansson commented: “The funding provided by government to retrofit council owned homes isn’t anywhere near what is needed. We are facing both a climate emergency and rising energy costs and one of the easiest ways to reduce energy consumption is the retrofitting of homes.

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“South Dublin County Council has a housing stock of over 9000 homes, many of which are in need of retrofitting. At the current rate most tenants will have to wait 20 to 30 years to have their home upgraded, and in the meantime they will have to pay high bills or even worse live in a cold home. “We need urgent action, both by the government and South Dublin County Council, to speed up the retrofitting of council homes. To tackle the problem of labour shortage we need a state-owned construction company that could retrofit all public buildings including council homes in a more efficient way. “The retrofitting of council owned homes on a large scale would help many who are struggling to pay their bills, as well as reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions.”

Pictured at the naming of the Jim Lawlor Bridge across the Dodder were Mayor Peter Kavanagh, Cllr Mick Duff, Cllr Teresa Costello, Cllr Brian Lawlor and Cllr Charlie O’Connor.

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DUBLIN CLIMBER WINS IRISH BOULDERING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Dubliner Michael O’Neill was crowned the Male

Senior winner of the Irish Bouldering Championships

PUBLIC TOILETS AND MORE BINS FOR WATERSTOWN PARK South Dublin County Council should provide public toilets and more bins in Waterstown Park ahead of the summer months, according to David Gardiner, Workers’ Party representative for Palmerstown-Fonthill. Gardiner said: “As the weather improves over the summer months, more people are going to be making use of Waterstown Park. To facilitate the increase in footfall, South Dublin County Council should install public toilets and overflow bins.” “Having such a great recreational resource on our doorstep is brilliant. The council should be encouraging as many people as possible

to use it by providing the necessary facilities. “As became evident during the pandemic, Dublin is poorly-equipped in terms of public toilets. This is something that South Dublin County Council could do easily to change that situation for the better.” “Overflowing bins are a fairly common sight in Waterstown Park, especially during the summer. A simple way of combating that is by putting in more bins, even if they’re only there temporarily, when there’s an increase in people using the park. We know from past experience that that time tends to be during the summer.”

2022 in Dublin Climbing Centre recently. It was the first time since 2019 the event was held due to Covid-19 restrictions with Irish Climbing Team member O’Neill, who came third at the last tournament three years ago, emerging victorious, Ciaran Scanlon finishing runner-up and Rory Cummings taking third.

Enniskillen, County Fermanagh won the Female

Senior category, with Robin Casey and Jessica McGarry

The Irish Bouldering Championship took place at the indoor Tallaght venue on the 14th and 15th of May, with climbers in Youth D, Youth C and Youth B competing on the Saturday and climbers in Youth A and Senior categories competing on the Sunday. In total, there were over 120 climbers from across Ireland and the United Kingdom competing in the two-day event, which featured two stages – a qualification round of eight boulder challenges (known in bouldering terms as ‘problems’) and a final round of four boulder problems. Victoria

Watterson

Pictured Male Senior Final winners podium IBC 2022

coming second and third respectively.

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PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AT CANAL EXTENSION IN CLONDALKIN Cllr William Carey has welcomed the decision by South Dublin County Council (SDCC) to proceed with the construction of 116 social and affordable and much needed homes in Clondalkin. Cllr Carey stated “that this development offers an opportunity for the children of existing residents to obtain local affordable housing close to where they have grown up. Following a long debate at a recent council meeting, SDCC councillors voted to proceed with the Part 8 proposal at Canal Extension-Ashwood in Clondalkin. Sinn Fein had carried out a detail survey in the area and along with residents had sought changes in the plan relating to traffic, additional parking spaces, an access route from Fonthill Rd and the height of houses along the boundary with Ashwood”. The Clondalkin Councillor commented “he was disappointed that management had not taken on board all the changes sought in our submission, particularly those concerns around the loss of privacy along Ashwood Rd and Drive. Sinn Fein had sought changes limiting the height along here to 2 storey houses. However, Cllr Carey continued “he was pleased though that council had agreed to some of the changes made in Sinn Fein submission and in particular the changes to Block D along with the passing of an amendment from Sinn Fein to reconfigure the first house at rear of Ashwood Drive, the purpose of which was to create more space between the houses and improve the visual aspect here. The addition of 4 extra car parking spaces was also to be welcomed”. Cllr Carey concluded “I was also pleased that there was a commitment from management within the report that allows for further engagement with the residents around boundary treatment and the play spaces envisaged within the development and for a sustainable integration of new residents with the existing community”.

SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL HONOURS DR. NOEL BROWNE

The Mayor of South Dublin, Cllr. Peter Kavanagh, unveiled a commemorative stone dedicated to the memory of former Health Minister Dr. Noël Browne and the women and men who fought to eradicate tuberculosis in Ireland outside Peamount Hospital, once a TB sanitorium.

said Mayor Kavanagh, “as Dr. Browne was the first parliamentarian to call for the decriminalisation of homosexuality and was one

of the few politicians to attend the opening of the Hirschfeld Centre in Dublin. In an era where being liberal was seen as dangerously

radical, Noël Browne was a genuine progressive, and his legacy is a blueprint for Irish society to continue the work he started.”

“It is fitting,” said Mayor Kavanagh, “that we mark this occasion as we emerge from a national health emergency that forced the country to come together for the greater good. It calls to mind the tremendous effort Dr. Browne and his colleagues made in eradicating tuberculosis.” Also speaking at the event were Cllr. Kieran Mahon, SOL/PBP, who proposed the motion to honour Dr. Browne; James Dunne, the local resident who first approached Cllr. Mahon; and Dr. Browne’s daughter Ruth. “It is also appropriate that this event should happen during Pride Month,”

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ANTI-LITTER AND ANTI-GRAFFITI AWARENESS GRANT SCHEME 2022 South Dublin County Council is now accepting applications for funding of projects which qualify as Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Initiatives. Applications should seek to promote public awareness and education in relation to litter and/or graffiti. This Grant Scheme has a particular focus on voluntary initiatives by community and environmental groups, and on involving schools and young people in anti-litter and antigraffiti awareness actions.

ONLY APPLICATIONS WITH EDUCATION & AWARENESS DIMENSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING.

HOW TO APPLY: Further information and an application form can be obtained online at www.sdcc.ie or from the Environmental Awareness Section, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Town Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24. Phone 01 4149000, email: envawareness@sdublincoco.ie

Applications must be made to South Dublin County Council no later than 5pm, Fri 15th July 2022. Late applications will not be accepted. Web: www.sdcc.ie

Cllr Peter Kavanagh Mayor of South Dublin, James Dunne, Ruth Browne and Nena Browne with Jincy Mathew, TD Emer Higgins, Cllr Deirdre Donovan, Cllr. William Carey, Cllr. Teresa Costello, Cllr. Derren Ó Brádaigh, Cllr Francis Timmons, Cllr. Kieran Mahon , Cllr Alan Edge, Cllr Charlie O’Connor, Cllr. Pamela Kearns, Cllr Joanna Tuffy, Cllr Eoin O’Broin and SDCC Staff at the unveiling of the plaque in memory of Dr. Noel Browne (former Minister for Health) and all those who fought for the eradication of tuberculosis. Pic: Ben Ryan

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RATHMINES COLLEGE GRADUATION ‘22 STEPPING STONES FOREST IN SACRED HEART JUNIOR NATIONAL SCHOOL

It was standing room only in the Round Room, Mansion House for the Rathmines College graduation of over 350 students. Teachers, family and friends came together to congratulate the Class of ’22 on their academic achievements at the annual presentation of awards. Students graduated with QQI Level 4, 5 and 6 Awards in Arts and Social Science, Business and Marketing, Computer Programming, Legal Studies, Media and Office Administration. Awards were also presented to the Professional Accounting students and apprentices completing ACCA and ATI accountancy exams. Graduates of Rathmines College will now progress to Higher Education degree programmes in Trinity College, UCD, DCU,

Maynooth University and many of the TU Dublin campuses. Graduates will also return to Rathmines College and study on the QQI Level Advanced courses in Business, Computer Programming, Media and Office Administration. Career options and solid job offers across business, health, legal and IT sectors are also an option for many recent graduates.

Rathmines College offers over 35 QQI courses and Professional Accountancy courses as well as offering a one-year Repeat Leaving Certificate. Course fees are just €200 and the college are now taking applications for all courses starting in September. For course information and to apply online go to rathminescollege.ie and go further with Rathmines College.

Tallaght Councillor Charlie O’Connor has warmly welcomed the announcement by his Party colleague Norma Foley TD Minister for Education of a major building programme at Tallaght Community School, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. According to Charlie O’Connor the Minister made this significant announcement while on a visit to Tallaght Community School in the presence of board chairman Mick Duff, Principal Aidan Lynch, school staff and board members and Dail deputies Francis Duffy and John Lahart. The Minister said that “I am pleased to confirm that a project to provide a new 1,000 pupil post primary school building including a four classroom Special Education Needs Base for Tallaght Community School has been approved.” Charlie O’Connor said that this announcement will be warmly welcomed

across the community and said it was important that arrangements are now put in place to expedite the process. The Minister also visited St Mark’s Primary School, Springfield and Sacred Heart National School, Killinarden and Charlie O’Connor said that she was enthusiastically received by pupils, staff

and parents. He added that this was Minister Norma Foley’s first visit to Tallaght and she made it clear how delighted she was with the welcome and being given the opportunity to see the great work being carried out in the Schools. Finally Charlie O’Connor thanked all concerned in making the visits so successful.

Pictured at the Stepping Stones Forest in Sacred Heart Junior National School, Killinarden, on the occasion of the visit by the Minister for Education were Teacher Sharon Jenkins, Councillor Charlie O’Connor, Students Karl and Jodie, Minister Norma Foley TD and Francis Duffy TD.

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“WE’VE TRIED TO BRING A BIT OF A PARADISE INTO A VERY URBAN SETTING” Students and staff of National Learning Network Ballyfermot, a supported training college, showcased their wildflower garden and bug hotel at Bord Bia Bloom during the June bank holiday weekend, proving popular with the thousands of festival attendees, as well as the bees and insects of the Phoenix Park.

The ‘Shelbug Hotel’, costing less than 50 euro to create, took up residence in the Postcard Garden section of the annual festival. The project promotes biodiversity, and is designed to attract pollinating insects, mostly consisting of plants grown within or around the training centre

and upcycled pallets.

wooden

Mark, a student at NLN Ballyfermot, said: “Instead of using pallets for bonfires at Halloween, we are showing that we can use them for something that will last all year round. This project is designed to promote sustainability and pollination. The Shelbug Hotel will benefit the bees, the ladybugs, and all the little insects, it’s somewhere for them to have a home during the winter. It’s an essential part of life; we need them”. Sean, a student on the Access course, said: “We planned the project

together, and it only took a couple of months to make. It’s mostly all recycled stuff.”

Traci Marshall-Dowling, manager at NLN Ballyfermot said: “Ballyfermot is quite an industrial setting, so we allocated an area for the students to codesign and they created a community garden. One of our students, who wants to become an architect, came up with the idea of a bug hotel, alongside our instructor Matthew.” Reclaimed wooden pallets were donated to the project by Rehab Recycle, the social enterprise, while some of the plants were provided

by RehabCare Ballyfermot. Students dug up marigolds and seeds from the local area to incorporate into the wildflower garden. The mural backdrop is made from recycled chipboard and left-over paint.

Matthew, an instructor at NLN, described the vision for the project: “The area we’re situated in has a lot of concrete and brick, so we’ve tried to bring a bit of a paradise into a very urban setting. It’s bringing a more diverse habitat into the area. Nothing has come from far and wide, it’s all local. We’re absolutely delighted with the result”. Traci continued: “The application for Bloom was all done in a bit of a panic, we put in our entry on the last day, right before 5pm. Once we began work on it, the project was open to anyone who wanted to come in and get involved. Some students worked by sowing and growing the plants while one student painted the mural backdrop. Other students were more interested in the woodwork and crafting the hotel structure. It’s so nice to see how well it all came together.” The Shelbug Hotel has now been transported back to NLN Ballyfermot’s training and educational centre to be enjoyed by the students and staff of NLN, as well as RehabCare and Rehab Recycle. Traci said: “We’re going to build grass benches and garden furniture out of upcycled pallets, and create a ‘zen’ area at the centre, which will be great for some of the students who need a quiet place during the day.” Speaking about his training

at National Learning Network, Sean said: “I cook every Friday in NLN for the staff and students. After I finish the Access course, I am going to move on to the Vocational Skills Foundation course. I’d like to learn to drive. I would like to get a job in horticulture or woodwork.” Mark said of his training at NLN: “What makes it different is that there’s multiple things you can do. You’ll get the assistance that you need. Whatever you need, they will help you. They’ve helped me out a lot. I look forward to getting up in the morning and going out and actually doing something. It’s benefitting me during the day, and I know I have

something new for the next day”. Speaking about the style of learning at NLN, Traci said: “I’m a believer in encouraging students to be involved in their own learning. We say to them, if there is something you want to do, tell us what it is, and let’s go do it - we will give you the resources to do it. At NLN Ballyfermot, we have a digital hub for gaming, podcasting and movie-making. We have a retail hub - all built, designed, and created by the students. We do fitness classes, yoga and stress management in our gym area in the centre. We’re able to cater to everyone, to their own talents and interests.”

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MOTORING LIFE

WITH

NEW MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS OOZES SOPHISTICATION By Breda Corrigan Three decades since its original introduction, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has proven its success with just under 11 million units sold worldwide. In fact, the predecessor to the new C-Class sold over 2.5 million alone since its launch in 2014, so the new (sixth-generation) C-Class has a lot to live up to. The underlying platform is the same, but everything that the new C-Class driver interacts with is all-new. It is slightly longer, wider and lower than what went before it, but the cab-rearwards profile ensures that the new C-Class looks like the bigger E-Class from a distance, and not too dissimilar to the super-luxurious S-Class limousine that sits at the top of the Mercedes-Benz saloon car family tree. Engine & Trim Variants. Also new to the C-Class are a range of mildly-electrified drivetrains. Petrol engines consist of 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre units with the former available with 170bhp or 204bhp (badged C 180 and C 200 respectively), while the latter produces 258bhp and is badged as a C 300. Diesel power comes courtesy of a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit with 163bhp (badged C 200d), 200bhp (badged C 220d) or 265bhp (badged C 300d). All engines come with a 9G-Tronic automatic transmission as standard. A major advantage of the mild-hybrid engines in the new C-Class is the refinement on offer, with the stop/start systems almost imperceptible, and the engine shutting off at high speeds (and times of low resistance) quite frequently, thereby resulting in outstanding fuel efficiency. The new C-Class is available in a choice of Avantgarde and AMG Line trim variants, with body styles consisting of a four-door saloon and a versatile estate. Test Car. My test car was a new C 200d Saloon AMG Line, which was finished in Graphite Grey metallic paint with grey/black ARTICO leather seats and an AMG Night Package fitted as optional extras - priced at €280 and €838 respectively. A hugely comprehensive array of comfort, convenience, safety and infotainment features come as standard in Avantgarde trim, with key AMG Line features consisting of distinctive AMG Line bodystyling, AMG brushed stainless steel sports pedals with black rubber studs, sports suspension, larger brake discs on the front axle, flat-bottomed steering wheel, and sports seats. The AMG Night Package consists of 18” AMG 5-spoke light alloy wheels in high-gloss black, AMG front apron and rear bumper trim in high-gloss black, black door mirror casings, heat insulating dark tinted rear glass, black window line

trim, and a front grille with pins in highgloss black for a distinctive sporty look. Producing 163bhp and 380Nm of torque, the refined and punchy engine in my test car can propel the C-Class saloon from 0-100km/h in just 7.7-seconds, on its way to a top speed of 230km/h (where permitted). Fuel consumption as low as 4.2-litres per 100kms driven on a WLTP combined driving cycle is achievable, with an emissions figure of 120g/km leading to annual road tax of just €190. The C-Class has admirable handling characteristics, with it being capable and entertaining in equal measure. Accurate steering, a strong brake pedal feel, and very little body lean in corners ensure that the car is fun to drive. The C-Class is a quiet motorway companion at cruising speed, with little in the way of engine or road noise, while the standard nine-speed automatic transmission shifts through the gears in a fuss-free manner. Outstanding Design. The new C-Class is a very handsome car in every respect. The vertical taillights of its predecessor have been replaced by striking horizontal lights, with slimmer headlights and a distinctive new front grille providing terrific visual drama when viewed headon. It is easy to find a comfortable driving position in the C-Class as all models benefit from multiple adjustment options for the seat and for the multi-function steering wheel. There are not many physical buttons on the dashboard of the C-Class, but touchsensitive climate controls are constantly displayed in the lower section of the infotainment screen, rather than hidden in a menu. In place of traditional analogue dials, the new C-Class has a crystal-clear 12.3-inch digital display that can display driving and media information, along with navigation information, if selected. An additional large portrait-oriented 11.9-inch central information screen can be operated by touch, voice or via the touch-sensitive controls on the leather-bound steering wheel. Voice control is included on all trim levels and has the capability to recognise requests with great efficiency, and can do anything from changing the interior temperature, to programming a location into the navigation, and can even tell a joke when asked to do so. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration comes as standard, and there is wireless phone charging, along with two C-USB ports in the centre console to charge devices. Impressive Space & Comfort. Thanks to a 25mm longer wheelbase, passenger space within the C-Class saloon is generous, and there are decent sized

rear door bins to put bottles in, plus a map pocket on the back of each front seat. The rear seat has a practical 40/20/40 split folding configuration as standard, with 455-litres of cargo space on offer behind the rear seats. Inspired by the cabin of the new S-Class, the C-Class’ dash is a masterpiece of creativity that adds a real sense of occasion to every journey. Once settled into the nicely sculpted seats with ergonomically-designed headrests, occupants will truly appreciate the massive effort that Mercedes-Benz has made in terms of comfort, space and safety. Small touches such as the backlit air vents add a feeling of tactility and substance to a largely digitised cabin, with all major controls located within easy reach of the driver at all times. The reach and rakeadjustable steering wheel incorporates a new design with two spokes per side, and slim stalks behind on the column for indicating and selecting drive function. The spokes each have their own bank of touchpads to control functions - for example, to increase the volume of the audio you simply slide your left thumb up and down, with the instrument cluster controlled by the top-right wheel spoke. Driver comfort and safety features include

distance assist, steering assist, lane keeping assist, improved surround sensors, emergency braking functions, and a feature that can detect and raise the body height in anticipation of an impending collision. High Performance LED headlamps are standard while optional items include a host of passenger comfort, safety and wellness features already familiar in the S-Class and other Mercedes-Benz models. Verdict & Pricing. Buyers in the mini-executive car market want a car that looks cool, is packed with the latest technology, is terrific to drive, and has a sensible range of engines that are economical and refined. The good news is that, with the new C-Class, MercedesBenz has delivered on all of the above, and more. In terms of interior displays, build quality, ride comfort, refinement, and elegant design, the new C-Class remains a class leader in my mind. Pricing for the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class saloon starts at €56,425 with my test car specification priced at €63,330 (including optional extras outlined). The new C-Class Estate is priced from €65,120. All prices are quoted excluding dealer and delivery charges.

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RAMS VISIT KILKENNY - A WONDERFUL DAY OUT

On a very overcast morning the RAMS set off for their first tour since lockdown, in 2020. A group of 25 members availed of this wonderful day out and they were picked up at the Community Centre. Light clothing was advised, but as the day proceeded it was a day for tee shirts and shorts!!

A luxury coach was provided by Premierline coaches. On arrival in Kilkenny, a journey of one and a half hours, they visited the Club House Hotel in the centre of Kilkenny Town, which is a lovely quaint hotel, with a warm welcome and excellent service and food. A greeting of freshly brewed coffee/tea, and plates of baked fruit scones on each table, so help yourself to more. After coffee they relaxed, and waited for their time slot for a visit at Kilkenny Castle. The members of the RAMS in Rhythm entertained the hotel guests with a few songs from their excellent repertoire of songs. The

Rose of Mooncoin was a real hit, with all the hotel guests, who only called in for a coffee? A nice relaxing walk up to the Castle was very refreshing, and a walk through the market square, and a visit to the various stalls selling their wares.

Kilkenny Castle is very impressive and recently renovated by the office of Public Works. A wonderful job has been done on the castle. RAMS visited the Castle as part of our educational trips. The group had a wonderful time, and the senior prices were very good, plus the organizer free. Met by our tour guide, a lovely young very efficient lady, who brought the castle to life. The tour takes about one hour, and the tour guide is well worth the extra price. The steps are a little problem for older persons, and a relaxing few seats in some rooms would really be appreciated. Booking is necessary, but walk ins are also available. After the tour, they returned to the Club House

Hotel for a late lunch. Not to disappoint the late guests of the afternoon, the RAMS in Rhythm, again entertained the members and the guests to another rendition of songs. This time It was with a Dublin flavour, with The Ferry Man, and Dublin in the Rare Old

Times. They still went down well with all the guests and staff.

The RAMS were so pleased to been a position to tour again after the two years of lockdown. They will be meeting each Thursday at 10 am in the Community

Centre Newcastle, and new members are most welcome. The RAMS will recess for August, and we will return in September the 1st. The RAMS in Rhythm will continue to fundraise and entertain during June, July, and August, in various nursing homes, Tallaght

Hospital and Peamount Hospital. They will be fundraising in the Square Tallaght Town Centre on Saturday 9th July, in aid of Our Lady’s Hospice Harold’s Cross, singing from 12 noon to 2 pm. So come along, enjoy the entertainment, and support our charities.

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AFFORDABLE HOME PURCHASE SCHEME INCOMPETENCE

Cllr William Carey has accused the government of incompetence in the

roll out of its “affordable home purchase scheme”. Cllr Carey said that he

had learned recently that the banks were rejecting mortgage applications

from would be buyers on the basis that “ they were availing of the affordable housing scheme”. Cllr Carey added that it beggars believe that the government would roll out its flagship proposal on housing and not have an agreement in place with banks for its implementation.

SDCC recently announced its first pilot programme for the government’s affordable housing by offering 16 homes at Kilcarberry in Clondalkin. Sixteen families were subsequently offered these homes. A number of potential buyers have been

in touch with me directly explaining that they have been refused mortgages by pillar banks on the grounds that they are purchasing a Council affordable home. However, it now seems that the Banks have yet to reach agreement with the government or SDCC to allow for mortgages for these homes. I requested information from SDCC about this and they informed me that they had been assured by government that the banks would be supplied with all the relevant information required to approve these

home loans and that this was disappointing news to them. Young families have applied for these houses and are now seriously concerned that their hopes have been dashed at the first hurdle due to this governments incompetence.

Cllr Carey concluded by saying the government were treating these young families very shabbily by not ensuring that the banks, which government have a large stake in, were aware of the logistics around its proposed scheme. “Quite honestly I find the whole thing an absolute fiasco”.

FYFFES FITNESS VISIT RETURN

Another sign that life is returning to normal following a two years break forced by the Covid-19 pandemic is seen in the announcement by Fyffes that it is to resume its programme of fitness visits to Meath schools commencing in September. Since its launch just four years ago over 1,200 Meath pupils had been introduced to the Fit Squad programme before Covid and resulting

school closures forced Fyffes to bring its message online. Delivered by Irish health and fitness expert Tom Dalton, each visit of 45-minutes duration includes an active workout designed to improve children’s general fitness through engagement and fun-filled activities, supported by talks and tips on healthy eating. Schools interested in participating are invited to register at www. fyffesfitsquad.ie/register

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CONFIRMATION FOR KISHOGUE TRAIN STATION REMAINS UNCLEAR A local Councillor in Dublin Mid-West has expressed the frustration being felt by commuters and many more ‘would-be commuters’ at the lack of a definitive opening date for the long awaited Kishogue train station. Cllr Derren Ó Brádaigh was speaking following recent separate responses that he received from both the National Transport Authority and South Dublin County Council. Cllr Ó Brádaigh said: “Kishogue train station continues to be the subject of controversy with lots of local residents now demanding a clear date for the opening of this

vitally important piece of local infrastructure. People are told that this station, forming part of the Kildare Route Project, will be delivered in tandem with the Clonburris SDZ and housing development, however the population has grown significantly regardless, a new Kishogue Community College is long open and the nearby Clonburris Phase One development is due to commence imminently. “This station has remained idle now for 14 years with the original cost of construction €6.35m and every week people continue to ask me the same question “When is Kisogue opening?” Works will now be required

to upgrade the station, and this will have to include lift replacement, internal and external wall works, renewing all mechanical, electrical and telecom cables, up to date signage, paths and paving with a further projected cost of €3.8m “The most recent correspondence that I received from the National Transport Authority states that ‘assessments’ took place in 2021 when a series of inspections, conditions surveys, and studies were undertaken, and stakeholders were consulted on the requirements for bringing the station into service. Works need to

OFFICIAL OPENING OF RATHFARNHAM CASTLE PARK PLAYSPACE Recently, Mayor of South Dublin County Council Councillor Peter Kavanagh officially opened the revamped woodland Playground in Rathfarnham Castle Park. Speaking at the event, Mayor Peter Kavanagh said “Play is recognised as a vital activity for healthy child development. Children also need time in nature and the outdoors for their physical and mental wellbeing. Whether it is splashing in the puddles of water, running through the woodlands or zipping down the zipline children need play experiences as part of a healthy active childhood. A Playground such as this one here in Rathfarnham Castle Park is a celebration of childhood. A place where the needs of children of different ages and abilities are catered for in a safe attractive space. It is also a great community space

where parents, grandparents and guardians are made to feel comfortable and it is a great attraction to visitors to this area and a place we are proud for visitors to see.

Since the playground has reopened, there has been a vast increase in children and families visiting the park. People are now more aware than ever of the importance of getting outdoors and active for their physical and mental health and this applies even more so for children. A playground such as this that gives space for all types of play is a wonderful asset to the local community and to the County. I am delighted that this revamped playground has proven to be so popular and I wish the children of Rathfarnham and surrounds many happy hours of play here in the years to come.”

Pictured Cllr Peter Kavanagh Mayor of South Dublin County Council with Cllr Yvonne Collins and Cllr Lynn McCrave

be undertaken by Iarnród Éireann before the station can open. “Even with funding already approved, these works will take at least a year and that is taking us toward

the end of summer 2023 if they began now, and that’s without an actual opening date being confirmed beyond that timeline. This is a project that should be prioritised fully now

in my view. Let’s get the upgrades completed, open the station, and move on with other important transport solutions for the rapidly growing new communities of Lucan South and West.”

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GRANTS FOR LOCAL GROUPS TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER PEOPLE The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme recently celebrated a momentous allocation of funding for sport and physical activity in older age-groups. The grants scheme, a combined initiative from Age & Opportunity and Sport Ireland, will distribute €66,845 across 118 groups in Dublin. Nationwide 995 groups will receive grants totalling €514,120.

continued success in their valuable work to communities all across Ireland”. The National Grant Scheme provides an accessible and enjoyable means for older people in communities nationwide to reap the health rewards from doing physical activity.

Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht Jack Chambers said: “The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme has been an incredibly beneficial resource in enabling older people to become more active and the grants announced recently are a further recognition of the importance of sport and physical activity in the lives of older people.

Speaking about the grant, Dr. Una May, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, said that Age & Opportunity Active programme continues to act as a valuable resource in getting more older people more active. “Sport Ireland’s vision is that sport contributes to enhancing the quality of Irish life and that people of all ages are encouraged and valued in sport. To help us achieve this we work with Age & Opportunity to deliver opportunities and grants to as many clubs and groups as possible.

“I want to thank Age & Opportunity for the excellent work they are doing in providing opportunities for older people and I wish them

“We are delighted to award funding to the Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme. Keeping physically active or returning to activity is

more important than ever given the circumstances we’ve found ourselves in due to Covid-19 over the last number of years. The grant continues to act as a valuable resource in getting more older people more active and we are thrilled to share this good news with everyone today.”

Karen Horgan, CEO of Age & Opportunity, said today’s grant funding is helping us create an Ireland where more older people are more active and more connected and the allocation of these grants ensures clubs and groups from all walks of life can benefit from the scheme. “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Sport Ireland. Age & Opportunity works to ensure equality of participation for all older people, irrespective of background, culture, identity, setting or location. We are delighted that this year 383 successful applications were from designated disadvantaged areas. There were also 48

applications from nursing homes and 84 applications from day care centres.” The successful local groups are Ballyroan Men’s Shed, Dominics Active Men Social, An Cosan CDP The Shanty Education Centre, Walkinstown Social Group, Knocklyon Ladies Club, St. Finian’s GAA Club, Ladies Social Group Newcastle, Kilnamanagh ICA, Kingswood

& Kilnamanagh Active Age Mens Club, Active Age Ballyroan Community Centre, Knocklyon Women’s Group, Lucan ARA, NCCWN Rowlagh Women’s Group, St. Mark’s GAA Club, Firhouse Active Age Group, Women Together Tallaght Network, Golden Circle Killinarden ARA, Cheeverstown House Templeogue and Ballyfermot Sports Complex.

Walking, weight lifting, night kayaking, dancing, rowing, yoga, orienteering, swimming, cycling, curling and bowling are just some of the activities the grant will fund. The Grant Scheme is part of Age & Opportunity’s Active programme, funded by Sport Ireland, and delivered nationwide with the support of Local Sports Partnerships and the HSE.

NOVENAS FOR LAURA LYNN MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask you for a very special one. Take it, dear Heart of Jesus, and place it within your own broken heart where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes it will become your favour and not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for three days. Promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail. With grateful thanks to Our Lady for favours received. And thanks to the Sacred Heart for favours received. R.N.L.C

MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask you for a very special one. Take it, dear Heart of Jesus, and place it within your own broken heart where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes it will become your favour and not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for three days. Promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail. With grateful thanks to Our Lady for favours received. And thanks to the Sacred Heart for favours received. S.B

If you would like a Novena published please send a postal order or cheque (Minimum of €10 per prayer) made out to Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice, along with your Novena to: NEWSGROUP, Unit 3 Floor 2 St Dominics Shopping Centre, St Dominics Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24. If you require any further information please call 01 45 19 000 or email: info@newsgroup.ie.

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