This morning, Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D. joined Michael Stone, Chairman of the North East Inner City Programme Implementation Board to launch the North East Inner City Initiative’s 2022 Progress Report.
The North East Inner City (NEIC) Initiative commenced in July 2016, when Government launched a major initiative for Dublin's North East Inner City to oversee the long-term social and economic regeneration of the area. This work is led by the NEIC Programme Implementation Board (PIB) and its Subgroups involving key Government departments and agencies working closely with community representatives.
Since 2016, the Government has invested over €38.2 million under the Initiative which has achieved significant progress in enhancing the lives of people living and working in Dublin’s North East Inner City.
This is the sixth Progress Report on the NEIC Initiative and it sets out the extensive work undertaken by the Programme Implementation Board in 2022 and sets out priorities for 2023.
Speaking at Hill Street Family Resource Centre, the Taoiseach remarked:
“I am delighted to join Chairman Michael Stone today to mark significant progress on our vision: Making the North East Inner City a safe, attractive and vibrant living and working environment for the community and its families with opportunities for all to lead full lives.
There is no one element that changes the trajectory in regenerating communities. This project looks at, and works on, all aspects of the lives of individuals, families and the wider community. That is how we will have an impact on areas like policing; children and youth services; education, training and employment; family supports; health and wellbeing; and the physical environment. It is all of these activities together that will turn the curve.
I am particularly pleased to see further progress on some milestone capital projects for the area:
In July, I was delighted to perform the official reopening of Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station which is the first community policing station of its kind in the country. The new Station is state-of-the art and is focused on supporting victims of crime and on community engagement. It is a visible representation of today’s adaptive and progressive police force and I encourage the community to make full use of these facilities.
In addition, the redevelopment of the Magdalene Laundry site will be of great benefit to the area encompassing: a National Centre for Research and Remembrance; social housing and local community facilities and an educational and early learning facility. It’s development will show, once again, the NEIC at the forefront of a unique progressive project of national significance that the whole community can be proud of for decades to come.”
Speaking on community safety, which is a key priority for the Board, Michael Stone, Independent Chairperson of the NEIC Initiative stated:
“We are all working towards a legacy of enduring safety for local communities by tackling the drug dealing, criminality and anti-social behaviour that plagues our streets.
The Gardaí however cannot do this alone. These issues require inter-agency and community collaboration. In that spirit, one of the new initiatives we supported this year was the establishment of a ‘Law Enforcement Assisted Recovery’ team for the NEIC area.
This team, through a multi-agency approach, is supporting people with complex and multiple needs such as addiction and mental health difficulties to engage with support services, often for the first time.”
Some highlights from the 2022 Progress Report include:
The sustainability of the Multi-Disciplinary Team for primary school children and Fast-Track Counselling. Previously funded by PIB, in 2022 core funding was provided through the Department of Health.
The publication of a dedicated Adult and Community Education Strategy and the appointment of an Adult Education Officer.
The expansion of the P-TECH programme to include two additional schools, Rosmini Community School and O’Connell’s Secondary School, as well as two new industry partners, Salesforce and Iarnród Éireann.
Funding provided to all 6 NEIC Post Primary schools for an After-School Study Programme.
The extension of Youth Project service hours for the area.
The Social Employment Fund, funded by the NEIC Initiative, continued to support 55 posts to enhance local services in the areas of childcare, youth projects, eldercare, arts, and the environment.
Significant resources dedicated to help tackle anti-social behaviour and drug-related issues.
The commencement of a full scale redevelopment of Diamond Park.
Funding provided for arts and cultural events and programmes.
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