1. Variation to County Development Plan
This month, our biggest job on the Council was the variation of our County Development Plan. This is a very important planning document that outlines our approach to planning across Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
The purpose of the variation was to zone more land in response to update housing targets from central government. These reflect anticipated population growth locally and throughout the country.
The variation was hotly debated over a number of meetings but I am pleased that we were able to rezone a significant amount of new land to facilitate our meeting, and potentially exceeding, our new housing targets with an additional 500 homes per year – five thousand over the coming decade.
This rezoning is critical to helping build more homes locally and revitalising our communities.
Alongside the increased rezoning of residential land, we are planning for significantly improved local infrastructure including transport, schools, and green areas. We need to build homes, but we also need to build communities—places where people can live well, with access to transport, schools, and local amenities. Good planning is about getting that balance right.
Now we have to work to make sure that these new plans translate into more homes.
2. Clonmore Park Upgrade Works to commence 18th May
It is great to see the planned upgrade works for Clonmore Park proceed. This is an important asset for the local community and it has been a top priority of mine since I became a Councillor.
Work on the upgrade playground is due to commence 18th May and will include exciting new play facilities.
· A new junior play area
· Zip-wire
· Multi-play unit
· Basketball hoop
The works will also deliver a calisthenics area, new drainage and improved surfaces. The works are expected to take 8 weeks and the park will be close for that time.
This is a very positive development that will allow so that members of the community of all ages to continue to enjoy the park for years to come.
Earlier this year, I secured cross-party support from fellow Councillors for a motion on the need to resurface the pedestrian and cycle paths throughout the park. As a result, I expect the works to be included in the next Parks Path Improvement Programme.
3. New Special Classes announced for Dublin Rathdown
As Fine Gael’s Disabilities Champion on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, and as a member of the party’s Disability Network, I was pleased to welcome the announcement, earlier this month, by Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, of 40 new special classes and 5 inclusive special classes for the 2026/2027 school year.
I particularly welcome confirmation that new special classes will be established in two local schools for the 2026/2027 school year: Our Lady’s Grove and Ballinteer Girls National School.
This is a very positive development for families locally. Increasing capacity in our schools is essential to ensuring that children can access the supports they need within their own community.
I have been liaising directly with Minister Naughton and will continue to work locally to support the expansion of special education provision and to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Each inclusive special class will receive funding for:
· 1 teacher (or 1.5 teachers at post‑primary level)
· 2 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs)
· Extra capitation funding
· Access to training and support from the NCSE
Schools will also receive:
· A €30,000 start‑up grant for furniture and equipment
· Funding for minor building works or repurposing works, where needed
4. Upgrading local water drainage infrastructure
As you are likely well aware, there is a significant issue locally with the ability of outdated wastewater networks to deal with the combination of high population growth and increased rainfall. This risk was particularly brought to light during Storm Chandra.
I have engaged directly with Uisce Éireann on this issue over recent months and passed a motion at the Council to prioritise network upgrade works to ensure that our water infrastructure is able to cater for our growing population and increasing risk of extreme weather events.
Uisce Éireann have acknowledged the need for particular work in the Stillorgan/Sandyford area to remove storm water from the foul and combined networks. They have prepared 3 separate schemes to provide additional capacity in the wastewater network. These schemes are increasing the capacity of local networks through up sizing and new pipe work and will also require a storm water holding tank to provide additional capacity to the combined network during rainfall events. These schemes are at Detailed Design stage with the expectation to be delivered in 2030.
5. Retaining Two Way Access to Brennanstown Road
As part of the Variation to the County Development Plan, I was pleased to co-sign a motion, alongside local Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil colleagues, to include a new Specific Local Objective for Brennanstown Road which will require the Council to progress the upgrade of the road to facilitate long-term two way traffic on the road within 18-24 months of the implementation of the planned Traffic Management Scheme for the road.
The will ensure that full two-way traffic along the full length of Brennanstown Road will be restored in a timely manner and ensured for the long-term.
6. 349 New Homes Built in Dublin Rathdown in Q1 2026
The government have announced that 349 new homes have been built in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown in Q1 2026. This reflects the strongest first quarter nationally for new housing figures since 2011 with 7,856 new homes delivered across the country.
Building new homes locally is critical in addressing the severe housing supply crisis – which is particularly acute in our area. I will continue to work with my Fine Gael colleagues to prioritise home building and making homes available to buy. Buying a home is not just about a place to live but is critical to building and revitalising communities.
7. Energy Grants
With geopolitical events driving higher energy prices, I encourage you to look into the various grants available to help improve the energy efficiency of your home and reduce energy costs.
Grants currently available include:
- Attic insulation: up to €2,000 (€2,500 for first-time buyers)
- Wall insulation: up to €8,000
- Windows: up to €4,000 / Doors: up to €1,600
- Heat pump system: up to €12,500
- Heating controls: up to €700
- Solar PV: up to €1,800
- Solar thermal (hot water): up to €1,200
Find our more here: SEAI Grants: Home Improvement, Business, EV & More | SEAI
8. In the media –
· Cllr. Eoin O’Driscoll welcomes Clonmore Playground Upgrade Works
· People in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown encouraged to avail of grants to lower energy bills
· O’Driscoll backs vote to unlock land for thousands of new homes in DLR
Council Update – April 2026
1. Variation to County Development Plan
This month, our biggest job on the Council was the variation of our County Development Plan. This is a very important planning document that outlines our approach to planning across Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
The purpose of the variation was to zone more land in response to update housing targets from central government. These reflect anticipated population growth locally and throughout the country.
The variation was hotly debated over a number of meetings but I am pleased that we were able to rezone a significant amount of new land to facilitate our meeting, and potentially exceeding, our new housing targets with an additional 500 homes per year – five thousand over the coming decade.
This rezoning is critical to helping build more homes locally and revitalising our communities.
Alongside the increased rezoning of residential land, we are planning for significantly improved local infrastructure including transport, schools, and green areas. We need to build homes, but we also need to build communities—places where people can live well, with access to transport, schools, and local amenities. Good planning is about getting that balance right.
Now we have to work to make sure that these new plans translate into more homes.
2. Clonmore Park Upgrade Works to commence 18th May
It is great to see the planned upgrade works for Clonmore Park proceed. This is an important asset for the local community and it has been a top priority of mine since I became a Councillor.
Work on the upgrade playground is due to commence 18th May and will include exciting new play facilities.
· A new junior play area
· Zip-wire
· Multi-play unit
· Basketball hoop
The works will also deliver a calisthenics area, new drainage and improved surfaces. The works are expected to take 8 weeks and the park will be close for that time.
This is a very positive development that will allow so that members of the community of all ages to continue to enjoy the park for years to come.
Earlier this year, I secured cross-party support from fellow Councillors for a motion on the need to resurface the pedestrian and cycle paths throughout the park. As a result, I expect the works to be included in the next Parks Path Improvement Programme.
3. New Special Classes announced for Dublin Rathdown
As Fine Gael’s Disabilities Champion on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, and as a member of the party’s Disability Network, I was pleased to welcome the announcement, earlier this month, by Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, of 40 new special classes and 5 inclusive special classes for the 2026/2027 school year.
I particularly welcome confirmation that new special classes will be established in two local schools for the 2026/2027 school year: Our Lady’s Grove and Ballinteer Girls National School.
This is a very positive development for families locally. Increasing capacity in our schools is essential to ensuring that children can access the supports they need within their own community.
I have been liaising directly with Minister Naughton and will continue to work locally to support the expansion of special education provision and to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Each inclusive special class will receive funding for:
· 1 teacher (or 1.5 teachers at post‑primary level)
· 2 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs)
· Extra capitation funding
· Access to training and support from the NCSE
Schools will also receive:
· A €30,000 start‑up grant for furniture and equipment
· Funding for minor building works or repurposing works, where needed
4. Upgrading local water drainage infrastructure
As you are likely well aware, there is a significant issue locally with the ability of outdated wastewater networks to deal with the combination of high population growth and increased rainfall. This risk was particularly brought to light during Storm Chandra.
I have engaged directly with Uisce Éireann on this issue over recent months and passed a motion at the Council to prioritise network upgrade works to ensure that our water infrastructure is able to cater for our growing population and increasing risk of extreme weather events.
Uisce Éireann have acknowledged the need for particular work in the Stillorgan/Sandyford area to remove storm water from the foul and combined networks. They have prepared 3 separate schemes to provide additional capacity in the wastewater network. These schemes are increasing the capacity of local networks through up sizing and new pipe work and will also require a storm water holding tank to provide additional capacity to the combined network during rainfall events. These schemes are at Detailed Design stage with the expectation to be delivered in 2030.
5. Retaining Two Way Access to Brennanstown Road
As part of the Variation to the County Development Plan, I was pleased to co-sign a motion, alongside local Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil colleagues, to include a new Specific Local Objective for Brennanstown Road which will require the Council to progress the upgrade of the road to facilitate long-term two way traffic on the road within 18-24 months of the implementation of the planned Traffic Management Scheme for the road.
The will ensure that full two-way traffic along the full length of Brennanstown Road will be restored in a timely manner and ensured for the long-term.
6. 349 New Homes Built in Dublin Rathdown in Q1 2026
The government have announced that 349 new homes have been built in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown in Q1 2026. This reflects the strongest first quarter nationally for new housing figures since 2011 with 7,856 new homes delivered across the country.
Building new homes locally is critical in addressing the severe housing supply crisis – which is particularly acute in our area. I will continue to work with my Fine Gael colleagues to prioritise home building and making homes available to buy. Buying a home is not just about a place to live but is critical to building and revitalising communities.
7. Energy Grants
With geopolitical events driving higher energy prices, I encourage you to look into the various grants available to help improve the energy efficiency of your home and reduce energy costs.
Grants currently available include:
- Attic insulation: up to €2,000 (€2,500 for first-time buyers)
- Wall insulation: up to €8,000
- Windows: up to €4,000 / Doors: up to €1,600
- Heat pump system: up to €12,500
- Heating controls: up to €700
- Solar PV: up to €1,800
- Solar thermal (hot water): up to €1,200
Find our more here: SEAI Grants: Home Improvement, Business, EV & More | SEAI
8. In the media –
· Cllr. Eoin O’Driscoll welcomes Clonmore Playground Upgrade Works
· People in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown encouraged to avail of grants to lower energy bills
· O’Driscoll backs vote to unlock land for thousands of new homes in DLR
Cllr. Eoin O'Driscoll 
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