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Plan to build $84 million Islamic center in Dublin to host 40,000 Muslims in the city
Gerry Gannon, a leading property developer, has lodged a planning application with Dublin City Council for an $84 million Islamic Cultural Centre including a large mosque at Clongriffin in north Dublin.
One of the largest development projects in its planning stages in Ireland, the 18,000sq m (195,000sq ft) facility will serve the 40,000 Muslims living in Dublin city, with a capacity to host 5,000 people at a time.
According to reports in the Irish Times, “a Dublin-based Muslim group with support from many parts of the world has agreed purchase terms for the six-acre site located close to the Gannon-funded Dart station.”
Previous reports in the Irish Times stated that the new development, “could put Ireland in a very favorable position in the Muslim world and lead to significant inward investment.”
The development will include the mosque and support facilities, including a 34-classroom school, conference centre, assembly hall, playground and swimming pool. It has been designed by Paula Gill of architects Conroy Crowe Kelly.
Dublin People | Fingal has no plans to link college grants with household charge
FINGAL County Council says it has no plans “at the moment” to look for proof of household charge payment before approving college grant applications.
The council moved to clarify its position after Clare County Council threatened to withhold the grant from students whose parents had not paid the household charge.
Clare County Council had controversially sought proof from college grant applicants of household charge payments from their parents.
The unprecedented move sparked a wave of protest and concern that other councils would follow suit.
Fingal County Council confirmed it is not currently enforcing such a condition on college grant applications.�
In response to queries from Northside People, a spokesperson for the council said it has no plans “at the moment” to link payment of Higher Education Grants or any other applications for funding made to Fingal County Council to the payment of the household charge.
Fingal County Manager David O’Connor, in response to concerns from local representatives, said that while there were no immediate plans to adopt the practice, the council is “keeping the matter under review”.
Local representatives were assured that if the council was to initiate such a practice they would be notified of this intention in advance.
Meanwhile, Dublin City Council has confirmed that it is “not seeking this information from applicants in the current year”.
Local councillor David McGuinness (FF) was among those who condemned the linking of the household charge with college grant applications.
“Students being punished for their parents’ inability or unwillingness to pay the household charge was a new low in this country that was supported at the highest levels of Government,” he stated.
“I welcome the Fingal County Manager’s commitment to avoid this approach in the immediate future.�
“But not ruling this proposal out completely will come as a worrying indication for the many thousands of families who rely on speedy processing of their grant applications to fund the academic year.”
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) also severely criticised the controversial practice adopted by certain councils.
John Logue, president of USI, said he was awaiting legal opinion on the matter.
“Never have I heard of a grant being refused until proof of payment is offered for a completely unrelated tax owed by another person,” he stated.
“Students are being punished for the decisions of their parents and their education is being put at risk.
“This is a particularly cynical and craven way to manage a Government.
via Dublin People | Fingal has no plans to link college grants with household charge.
via Dublin People | Fingal has no plans to link college grants with household charge.
City council owed €380m by debtors – National News – Independent.ie
The country’s biggest local authority, Dublin City Council, is owed a massive €380m by various debtors — and a new report urges that rents be deducted directly from social welfare payments paid to 70 per cent of its tenants.
Projecting an income of over €72m from 24,000 tenants this year, which is described as the single most important source of council revenue after rates, the report said direct deduction at source from social welfare payments will “result in substantial savings and efficiencies”.
The report from the City Council Finance Department says that despite the current economic circumstances of tenants “rent arrears have stabilised for 2010-12”.
via City council owed €380m by debtors – National News – Independent.ie.
via City council owed €380m by debtors – National News – Independent.ie.
Dublin City Council backs same-sex marriage
Dublin City Council has thrown its weight behind the campaign for same-sex marriage after it voted overwhelmingly tonight in support of a motion calling for full marriage equality in Ireland.
Dublin City Council now joins Cork City Council and Belfast City Council, who passed similar motions in June.
The move has been welcomed by gay rights activists and equality organisations.
Dublin City Council backs same-sex marriage | BreakingNews.ie.
via Dublin City Council backs same-sex marriage | BreakingNews.ie.
