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Mr Kieran Mulvey, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe at the launch of the Mulvey Report

In June 2016, Taoiseach Enda Kenny requested Mr. Kieran Mulvey to report on the profound challenges facing the communities of North East Inner City Dublin, and to recommend specific measures which would support the long-term economic and social regeneration of the area.  Mr. Mulvey’s Report was launched today and the Government have given their initial response.

The Report identifies four priority areas and an action plan for each area:

• Tackling Crime and Drugs
• Maximising educational / training opportunities / Creating Local Employment Opportunities
• Creating an integrated system of social services
• Improving physical landscape

The Taoiseach announced that with, Minister Donohoe’s support, funding is being ring-fenced to support the implementation of the Report which will amount to €5 million.

Minister Donohoe said

This significant funding will ensure the programme is driven from day one and ensures existing funding is used in ways which is smarter and has greater impact. I also expect the local business community and employers will play their role in matching this effort to deliver real change for the individuals and families whose community they operate within.

The Taoiseach said that community participation is vital in the planning, implementation and evaluation to ensure to the success of the programme:

Without real and direct engagement with the people within the community, we cannot make change. The Government fully accepts that to achieve the impact we all want, the community have to help in leading and driving implementation.

Mr. Mulvey acknowledged the importance of community engagement in delivering on the actions set out in the Report.

This is about how all of the passion, know-how and energy of the community and all existing providers can be best harnessed to deliver services that work, and if they don’t work having the confidence and courage to respond flexibly to try new ways to meet the community needs. Everyone needs to change if this is to work.

30 additional Gardaí will be allocated to the North East Inner City. These will be in place by the end of the year. In addition, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, has said that the design, planning and procurement aspects of the refurbishment of Fitzgibbon Street Garden Station will begin as soon as possible. This will provide a community hub from which a range of Garda services will be provided.

The full report is available here.