New Balbriggan residents have contributed a total of €60million to Fingal Council in the form of development levies over the past five years.
Government has now put a freeze on councils spending this money. Fingal Council has presently €55million in the bank, which is frozen.
We say that this money should be spent-
to develop roads in Balbriggan
to develop parks
to develop community facilties
While unemployment has more than doubled in Balbriggan from 1500 in January 2008 to 3500 in March 2009, the Social Welfare Office has closed. People have to travel to Coolock to sign on. Meanwhile others have travel all the way in to Gardiner Street, Dublin 1 to claim other allowances provided by Community Welfare Officers.
We say the council, knowing that there are a lot of vacant commercial units, should act to liaise with the HSE and Department of Social Welfare to ensure a new centre is set up in Balbriggan to provide these services.
Balbriggan needs a councillor that fights for the area to ensure the facilties and services the community needs.
We invite you to our meeting this Monday to find out more!
