The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Críona Ní Dhálaigh , has introduced a new clause for City Council procurement contracts. This clause will entitle young people and the long-term unemployed to engage in vocational training and education for regeneration projects.
On Monday the 9th of May 2016 the Community Benefit Clause in Construction Works Initiative for the St. Teresa’s Garden and Dolphin House regeneration projects at Dolphin Community Centre, Dolphin House, Rialto, was launched.
The Lord Mayor, present at the launch on Monday, said: “I am delighted that the community gain motion is now being implemented in the regeneration of St. Teresa’s Gardens and Dolphin House. The inclusion of the community benefit clause strengthens the commitment to social and economic regeneration that will directly benefit individuals and families from both communities.”
The Community Benefit Clause will now be included in the conditions of contracts for construction projects delivered by local authorities. This will mean on-site employment and training opportunities. The new clause stipulates that: 10% of the hours on site will be filled by people who have been unemployed for a continuous 12 month period and that 5% of the hours will be allocated to training and apprenticeship places.
Work on Phase 1 of St. Teresa’s Gardens is at an advanced stage. Three of the six blocks have been demolished. There are currently 49 occupied flats in St. Teresa’s Gardens. After the remaining blocks are demolished, construction of 34 houses and 16 apartments will commence in June/July 2016.
A temporary art installation in the communal space in the newly refurbished blocks at St. Teresa’s Gardens were designed by Brazilian UCD architectural students and local children, to serve as an interactive play space. The project was overseen by Landscape Artist and UCD Lecturer, Sophie Graefin von Maltzan, of Fieldworks & Strategies and was completed on the 26th of November 2015.
A total of 96 existing flats will be replaced by 100 new units at Dolphin House and it is hoped that work will commence in the second quarter of 2016. Existing residents were rehoused for demolition to begin. A site at the rear of the football pitch has been allocated to be used for apartments for the elderly, 50 units will be built and work is due to begin June/July 2016. Dolphin Park’s 44 bedsits are being demolished to allow for new housing to be developed on the site. The tenants of these bedsits will be moved to new dwellings.
