Cllr. Eoin O'Driscoll

Author: eoinodr

  • Eoin O’Driscoll welcomes progress on playground at Finsbury Park

    I am pleased to welcome Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s recommendation to proceed with the delivery of a playground at Finsbury Park, Dundrum. It will be a very positive amenity for the local community.

    The demand for play facilities at this location is clear, with 87 per cent of submissions to the consultation support the addition of play facilities in Finsbury Park.

    I am particularly pleased with the Council’s decision to engage residents through a consultation process at such an early stage in the decision-making process. This has facilitated input into the development Finsbury from those who will use it and will allow for a community-centred approach to the design. Active, meaningful consultation is integral to ensuring that residents’ needs, hopes and concerns are addressed.

    It is also positive that the Council have taken on board feedback received during the consultation, including from myself, to incorporate community engagement in the park, i.e. through a community garden. I encourage any community groups interested in taking responsibility for a community area to contact parksconsultations@dlrcoco.ie.

    For more information regarding Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s report on the publication consultation see here.

    You can read my own submission below.

    eoin-odriscoll-fine-gael-finsbury-park-submission-240124Download

  • Eoin O’Driscoll calls for lower commercial rates

    Many businesses are struggling at the moment, dealing with high and rising costs of doing business.

    Local businesses sit at the heart of our communities and need to be supported as they deal with a challenging business environment.

    The Government has provided significant supports, worth €257 million, through the Increased Cost of Doing Business Grant. This is a vital measure to support small and medium businesses. Applications for the grant open on Thursday 14th March 2024 and I would encourage any eligible businesses to apply before the 1st May 2024 deadline.

    You can find more information in the scheme here.

    I am calling on local governments, particularly Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, to step up and support local businesses through a reduction of commercial rates. I have spoken to many local businesses in recent weeks who are facing increased rates in an already extremely difficult business context.

    Government, at a national and local level, needs to better support local enterprise. For this reason I am advocating for reduced commercial rates and I have submitted a motion to that effect to the upcoming Fine Gael Árd Fheis.

  • Double YES vote in referendums will finally recognise care and all families

    Voting yes for care and yes for family in the March 8th referendums will ensure an Irish constitution which is modern and inclusive, recognising all families and supporting the care families give to one another.

    On 8th March 2024, International Women’s Day, we are being be asked to cast their vote in favour of two changes to the constitution. The first is to delete articles 41.2.1 and 41.2.2, which refers to a woman’s role being within the home and proposes to insert a new Article 42B which recognises caregivers within families – regardless of gender. The second will be to expand the definition of the family found in Article 41.1.1.

    The proposed amendments seek not to diminish but to enrich our constitutional fabric by extending recognition and rights to all families, including those led by single parents and grandparents – a first in our constitutional history. This change recognises the reality of many, affirming their significance and contributions to our community.

    Moreover, the introduction of a provision dedicated to caregiving signals a transformative shift in our societal values. It acknowledges the invaluable role of caregivers, both men and women, in and outside the home, and commits future Governments to provide the necessary support they deserve. This is a commitment to the welfare of families and caregivers, ensuring they are supported, valued, and recognised.

    For more information, check out Fine Gael’s campaign website: https://www.finegael.ie/yesyes/

  • Supporting Local Business – Public Meeting, Tuesday 13th February 2024

    Supporting Local Business – Public Meeting, Tuesday 13th February 2024

    My name is Eoin O’Driscoll. I am your Fine Gael candidate for the Dundrum Local Electoral Area.


    I am passionate about using local politics to ensure that Dundrum
    is the best possible place to live, raise a family and grow old in.
    Supporting local enterprise is one of my core priorities as a
    candidate. Local businesses are at the heart of our community
    and are critical in ensuring it continues to thrive.


    Therefore, I am delighted to invite you to a public meeting 7.30pm Tuesday 13th February 2024 with Minister for Business, Employment
    and Retail Neale Richmond     and Aileen Eglington, PRO and past
    President, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Chamber of Commerce.
    The meeting will be an opportunity to discuss the opportunities
    and challenges facing local enterprise and how we can best ensure
    the continued prosperity of our local community.


    I hope to see you there for what should be a very informative evening.
    Please do get in touch if I can ever be of assistance to you.

  • Fine Gael delivering more money back in your pocket

    Fine Gael delivering more money back in your pocket

    Changes to income tax which are due to kick in from today  (Jan 1st) will put more money back into peoples’ pockets and ease cost of living pressures.

    Furth cuts to tax and USC will mean individuals in Dundrum will keep more of their hard-earned cash, while social protection payments due to be paid in January will assist households with the cost of living.

    Last October, a personal income tax package to the value of €1.3 billion, as part of Budget 2024, was announced by my colleague Minister Paschal Donohoe.

    The aim of this package is to ensure we all take home more of our income, pay the higher rate of tax at a later point and that workers earning the minimum wage remain outside the higher rates of USC.

    The main changes will see an increase of €2,000 in the income tax standard rate band cut-off point, going from  €40,000 to €42,000 for single people, from €49,000 to €51,000 for married couples or civil partners with one or two incomes, and an increase from €31,000 to €33,000 for the maximum increase in the rate band for two income couples.

    The main personal tax credits (Personal, Employee and Earned Income) will also rise by €100 from €1,775 to €1,875.

    Government is also providing for an increase in the ceiling for the 2% rate of USC of €2,840 from €22,920 to €25,760. The increase in the 2% rate band ceiling will ensure a full-time adult worker in who benefits from the increase in the hourly minimum wage rate from €11.30 to €12.70 will remain outside the top rates of USC.

    Overall, this tax package is worth €813 on the average wage, and when combined with the universal energy credit, equates to over €1,000 back in their pockets.

    We have always believed people pay too much tax on their hard-earned income and for that reason, Fine Gael in Government has led the way in cutting income tax and USC.

    It will also mean households in Dundrum are further protected from cost of living pressures , alongside a range of other measures to help families and individuals pay the bills.

    An increase of €100 in the Home Carer Tax Credit will also come into effect from tomorrow, bringing it from €1,700 to €1,800.”

    The Social Welfare package of €2.3bn delivered by my colleague, Heather Humphreys, TD, in October, was the largest in the history of the State.

    I am pleased that from January, there will be €12 increases in weekly social welfare payments to recipients including pensioners, carers and those with disabilities. A double cost of living payment will also be made on the week commencing January 29th, which will benefit 1.3 million people.

    Inflation is thankfully decreasing, and it is expected to reduce again in 2024 to 2.9%. Nevertheless, we know people and families are finding it hard to pay the bills due to ongoing cost of living challenges, so these measures coming just into the New Year  will provide further assistance.

  • Public Meeting on Youth Politics

    Public Meeting on Youth Politics

    I was delighted to host a public meeting on youth politics Tuesday 28th November 2023 in Dom Marmion House, Dundrum.

    I am passionate about using local politics to ensure that Dundrum is the best possible place to live, raise a family and grow old in.

    Young people’s voices are too often underrepresented in Irish politics. The only way to address this is to get involved. I firmly believe in the power of political engagement to deliver positive change in our community.

    To register to vote, check out: https://www.voter.ie/

    For more about Young Fine Gael, check out: https://www.yfg.ie/

  • Be vigilant about scam texts this Christmas

    Be vigilant about scam texts this Christmas

    Fine Gael Local Election Candidate for Dundrum, Eoin O’Driscoll has urged people to be aware of scam text messages circulating, particularly in the run-up to Christmas. “Over the past week alone, I’ve received a number of scam messages,” O’Driscoll said. “They range from the An Post ‘your package won’t be delivered unless you pay a fee’ text and the ‘claim your electricity credit’ text, all of which are scam artists trying to catch vulnerable people out,” he explained. “While all of these tricks have been reasonably well reported, I am urging people to speak to those around them, especially the elderly and more vulnerable, to explain to them that they should never click into the links. Have that conversation with people around you to remind people to always be wary of a number that they are not familiar with.”

    Comreg has some very useful tips such as:

    · Be cautious of unsolicited text messages from unknown senders

    · Do not click on a link or reply to a message

    · Don’t share personal information. Legitimate texts never ask you for personal or financial information

    · DO NOT RESPOND

    · Be familiar with how businesses and services you engage with will contact you – visit their website to find out or ask them how they are likely to contact you

    · Verify sender details by visiting the company’s official website or in the case of your bank, ring the number on the back of your bank card. NEVER use contact details in the text.

    “Coming up to Christmas, most people are working within budgets. With the cost of living still high, I would not like to see anyone getting caught out with these text scams. There are very clever organisations behind these scams and many of the numbers look like they are Irish numbers. Some of the links to the banks also look very real, so that’s why reminders are very important. If you feel you have been a victim of fraud, always contact your local Garda station, who are there to help,” O’Driscoll added.”

  • O’Driscoll Encourages Women aged 17-20 to access the Free Contraception Scheme

    O’Driscoll Encourages Women aged 17-20 to access the Free Contraception Scheme

    Fine Gael Local Election Candidate for Dundrum, Eoin O’Driscoll has called on all women aged 17 to 30 to access the Government’s Free Contraception Scheme.  Nationally, more than 150,000 women aged 17-26 have accessed the scheme since it was introduced.  In September, it was further expanded to include women aged 27 to 30, and will be further expanded to women aged 31 on the 1st January 2024.

    Figures for the first 8 months of this year show that demand for the service has been highest among those aged 18 to 21.

    “This scheme has been championed by Fine Gael in Government, including by Simon Harris as Minister for Health. I am delighted to see such a high uptake.  It covers the cost of consultations with GPs, part family planning, student health and primary care centres and prescriptions for the wide range of contraceptive options available.  It also covers the cost of prescriptions, as well as fitting, checks and removal of long-acting reversible contraception devices.

    “We know that the most appropriate contraception isn’t always the cheapest, and this scheme ensures that women can choose the method of contraception that is most suited to their needs and circumstances, in consultation with their GP or medical professional, giving more women the freedom to control their reproductive health without any financial barriers.  

    “For more information, you can check out the HSE-run sexualwellbeing.ie.”

  • New criminal offences and tougher sentences will ensure stronger, safer communities – Eoin O’Driscoll

    New criminal offences and tougher sentences will ensure stronger, safer communities – Eoin O’Driscoll

    The introduction of new criminal offences and changes to sentencing demonstrate Fine Gael’s commitment to keeping communities safe, a Fine Gael local election candidate for Dundrum Eoin O’Driscoll has said.

    Eoin O’Driscoll said: “My colleague, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, has announced a range of new criminal offences, as well as tougher sentences for existing offences, under the Criminal Justice Act (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2023.

    “This landmark legislation will target violent and organised crime, and violence against gardaí and other emergency service workers.

    “This legislation will allow the maximum sentence for assault causing harm in domestic abuse cases, as well as in other assaults, increasing from five to 10 years.

    “The scope of the existing harassment offence is widened to include any conduct that seriously interferes with a person’s peace and privacy, or causes alarm, distress, or harm.

    “It will also create a new standalone offence of stalking, which will have a maximum sentence of up to 10 years.

    “These new laws and tougher sentences will reassure residents in Dundrum and throughout the country that the Government is working towards making our communities safer.

    “Gardaí and emergency workers can also be reassured with the introduction of new provisions that ensure better protections. The maximum sentence for assaulting or threatening to assault a garda or other on-duty emergency worker is increasing from 7 to 12 years.

    “These changes will provide the courts with a tougher range of sentences to take account of the severity of assaults and sends a message that these crimes will not be tolerated.

    “I am delighted to see these common-sense measures being introduced which will enhance the powers of our courts and protect communities.

    “Fine Gael has made stronger, safer communities a key priority, along with ensuring the safety of Gardaí and all other frontline workers on duty”, Eoin O’Driscoll concluded.

  • Dundrum Local Area Plan

    Dundrum Local Area Plan

    The Dundrum Local Area Plan came into effect 21st November 2023.

    The local area plan is an important document for our community which will underpin planning over the coming years. While I am fully supportive of the ambition outlined in the plan, I am dissatisfied with the lack of meaningful public consultation in its development. This, I believe, has led to a number of issues in the detail of the plan, particularly with regard to its prioritisation of Dundrum Main Street and its position as the heart of local community life.

    I outlined my views in a submission to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council during the July 2023 consultation process on a Draft version of the plan. You can read it below.

    You can find out more about the plan here.

    Consultation Submission

    Re: Dundrum Local Area Plan

    Eoin O’Driscoll

    Local Area Representative – Dundrum

    Fine Gael

    This document outlines my views on the current draft Dundrum Local Area Plan based on my engagement with residents in my capacity as a Fine Gael Local Area Representative for Dundrum and my own perspective on the draft plan and its impact on our community.

    The vision for Dundrum outlined in the draft Local Area Plan of “a vibrant, inclusive and attractive town which is connected to and supports surrounding neighbourhoods and functions as a place people can enjoy, to live in, work in and visit” is positive and ambitious. Furthermore, I support the Council in its identification of the following priorities:

    • 10-minute neighbourhood
    • Character and heritage
    • Quality Homes
    • Amenities and Employment
    • Permeability, Public Transport and Climate Action
    • Open Space and Healthy Placemaking

    I look forward to the development of a Masterplan for the Old Dundrum Shopping Centre (as outlined in section 2.9.2). The proposed development of a public park, pedestrian focused walkway and civic space on the site will significantly enhance the village, building on the significant public realm improvements on the Main Street implemented in recent years. The development of the Old Dundrum Shopping Centre site, as recognised in the draft plan, presents a major opportunity to significantly enhance the vibrancy of the village.

    The measures outlined in Section 5: Climate Action – Mitigation and Adaptation will play an important role in ensuring the medium and long-term sustainability of our community. Delivering on Climate Action is the major challenge of our generation and it is important that the Local Area Plan supports Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in achieving its ambitions in this regard.

    In this submission, however, I wish to raise two significant concerns I have with the current draft Local Area Plan:

    1. There has not been sufficient consultation with residents
    2. The central role of Main Street as the heart of the community in Dundrum has not been sufficiently prioritised
    1. Insufficient Public Consultation

    The development of a Local Area Plan is of major significance for the community in Dundrum. The plan will shape the development of the village at a critical juncture as we deal with the major challenges posed by climate action and ageing demographics. Therefore, it is of critical importance that the community are fully engaged in the development of the plan and that their support is secured for the ambitious measures outlined therein.

    Unfortunately, I do not believe that this has been achieved. Public interest in the plan is strongly evident over the past number of weeks. It is clear that residents want to be engaged in the process. However, it is also evident that the Council has not effectively engaged residents to date.

    The pre-draft consultation on the plan occurred in 2018. The issues paper published by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council as part of the process is predicated on the adoption of a Dundrum Local Area Plan in late 2019. Consultation at such a lengthy remove from the publication of the Local Area Plan is not meaningful public engagement.

    In the nearly five years since the pre-draft process, the context of the plan has changed significantly, the demographics of Dundrum and how we live our lives (i.e. utilisation of new technologies, increase in remote working) has changed substantially. Moreover, the pre-draft consultation predates the publication of the DLR County Development Plan and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy – two significant policy documents underpinning the draft Dundrum Local Area Plan.

    Therefore, I do not believe that the pre-draft consultation process can be considered meaningful public engagement in the development of this plan.

    I do not believe that the draft plan can be considered to reflect “public and community aspirations”.

    This urgently needs to be addressed.

    Furthermore, I am dissatisfied with the decision of the Council to hold the public consultation on the draft plan over the summer months when many residents are on holidays and engagement can be expected to be comparatively low.

    I would also urge the Council to take into account the need to actively engage residents as part of public consultation efforts. While the current consultation has been clearly advertised online and via the Council’s social media, greater emphasis on traditional means of communication and particularly leafletting should be considered for future consultations.

    • Vibrancy of Main Street

    While Section 1 of the draft plan recognises Dundrum as a “major town centre”, this is not sufficiently recognised throughout the plan.

    Dundrum community life revolves around Dundrum Main Street. Therefore, its vibrancy should be front and centre of the plan. Considering the material impact of many of the proposals in the draft plan to Main Street, the lack of meaningful engagement with its businesses, many of which have served our community for decades, is disappointing.

    Local businesses and residents are concerned about access to Main Street. Measures to support pedestrian and bicycle access are welcome, as are specific efforts to reduce car usage. However, access to elderly and those with disabilities needs to be taken into consideration – particularly with regard to access to Holy Cross Church. For Main Street to remain the vibrant heart of the Dundrum community, reasonable parking provision will be required. A detailed assessment of local residents’ access needs, based on meaningful public engagement and consultation with the businesses operating on Main Street, should be undertaken by the Council to ensure that the finalised plan reflect this.

    I would also ask the Council to consider the provision of facilities to support the greater use of public and active transport. Public storage facilities for bike helmets, shopping et cetera could help facilitate utilisation of Main Street without reliance on a car. Such facilities would augment public realm improvements implemented over recent years.