Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Rowlagh is in north Clondalkin and it is the parish I grew up in. The area is 40 years old and it has seen many changes. When we first moved into the area, there was nothing there. It was an area of huge disadvantage and a victim of bad planning, and this created many socioeconomic problems in the area. There was no transport, shops or schools and everything the area had we had to fight for as a community. My first experience of community activism was getting involved in the campaign for St. Kevin’s Community College. As pupils we were bussed up to Lucan to a building that was not fit for purpose until we finally got a school. Because of its origins, St. Kevin’s Community College regularly punches above its weight, and only two weeks ago it became the only DEIS school in the State to offer every student a piece of IT equipment in a scheme that was launched by An Taoiseach.

Why am I telling the Minister of State this? I am doing so because the landscape of our area has changed because of this community activism. I will bring the Minister of State on a virtual walk-through of Rowlagh village, and I will start off with the Dóchas Family Centre, which provides support for children who may have emotional and behavioural needs. Rowlagh Community Centre is next and it was built with funds the community fundraised itself. Áras Rualach is a centre for the unemployed and it also has the Rowlagh Women’s Group and a crèche, and it is where I have my constituency offices. There are many vibrant shops and pubs in the area, which create local employment. There is a health centre, which is outdated, but there is a campaign to have a fit-for-purpose modern-day primary healthcare centre in the area. There is a modern credit union building up the road, and the latest jewel in the crown of Rowlagh is the north Clondalkin library. I had the pleasure of turning the sod on this in my stint as mayor in 2018, and this has brought a new energy to our area. We have schools, shops and a lot of residential homes, including older person-specific homes.

Why am I telling the Minister of State this? I do because Rowlagh is a village in everything but name and it has every amenity that a village could want. South Dublin County Council is going through its county development plan and our councillors have made a number of submissions to see Rowlagh recognised as a village. This would lift the area and allow it to avail of additional resources that are outlined in the town centre first policy.

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