DublinTown Welcomes Publication of Taoiseach’s Taskforce Report

DublinTown was honoured to be invited by the Taoiseach to join his Taskforce for Dublin. We welcome the publication of the Taskforce’s report and will now focus our efforts on ensuring its implementation.

We see this as an opportunity to press the reset button and create the city that all Dubliners want and which will once again restore civic pride.

Following the riots of November 2023, Dublin Town wrote to Government with a four point plan which we believed would restore the city’s fortunes: link to read.

As part of our plan, we recommended that a Taskforce be established to consider Dublin’s opportunities and challenges and to develop a strategic map forward.

We are pleased that the themes of our four point plan are now included in the Taskforce report.

In particular:

• Addressing safety concerns through the addition of 1,000 extra Gardaí together with a comprehensive addressing of social concerns; regulating ad hoc on street services for our vulnerable population and an even spread of emergency accommodation and support services across the Dublin region and not only in the city centre
• The expansion of the city warden programme with powers to enforce bye-laws. We see this uniformed presence as an important support for the city, particularly in pedestrianised areas. Research confirms that Stephens Green’s park rangers have had a positive impact on perceptions of safety in that park. Street wardens can be similarly effective across the city
• Rejuvenation of the city through meanwhile use; comprehensive support for living over the shop and the creation of residential opportunities which favour core essential workers in both the public and private sectors
• Addressing waste management and collection in the city, leading to a restructuring of how waste collections operate
• The development of more mixed use districts, including the furtherance of the night time economy, in a manner consistent with how people use modern cities
• The promotion of the arts as part of the rejuvenation process
• The development of an always on marketing strategy for the city
• Reconsidering the city’s governance and funding structures, learning from our European peers

A strength of the taskforce has been the inclusion of a range of voices. This, in our view has led to a balanced report which reflects the needs and aspirations of all citizens and one which cannot be labelled as sector specific. This will be important as we move to implementation.

So, while elements of the plans would not be primary considerations for the business community, they provide the basis for an inclusive and future-proofed city centre.

This report, we believe, marks a new beginning for Dublin. We can drive the city forward and with good will from all, we will reclaim the city.