YOUR DECEMBER 2025 UPDATE 

It’s hard to believe that it is over a year since I’ve been elected to serve the Dublin Mid-West constituency as your local TD. Throughout the year, I have been working hard to ensure that communities right across the constituency get the attention, investment and service they deserve. From fighting for reliable and accessible public transport, to ensuring that communities have the public health services required, making sure I deliver for our communities is a number one priority. There is still plenty of work to be done but I wanted to share an update on some of the work currently underway and the progress we’re making across Dublin Mid-West.

My regular advice clinics across the constituency will resume in January. If you would like to make an appointment to attend any of these, please call 01-6184128 or email shane.moynihan@oireachtas.ie. You can learn more about my work on my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and Tiktok. 

I want to wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. 

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Ghost buses and unreliable services continue to frustrate many commuters, in particular, those relying on the 13 and the 151, as well as on C-Spine services. I have raised this issue with NTA, Go Ahead Ireland and I will be meeting with the CEO of Dublin Bus to discuss these matters further. They have informed me that a new Automatic Vehicle Location system will be rolled out in the new year which should help reduce this issue. Last month I also met with Go Ahead Ireland to discuss services across the constituency, including increasing L51 peak frequency, improving W4 reliability and performance, a new W6 timetable and new drop off stops for the 125.

I am also acutely aware of the need for a Luas extension to Lucan and I have continued to push to make sure that the planning and design for this proceeds urgently. I am pleased that a new emerging preferred route will be published in the first half of next year for public consultation which will be a significant milestone. I am also fighting for DART+ Southwest to be prioritised and brought forward as it is a pivotal piece of infratsructure for our area and the houses that wil be built here.

I am aware of the issues with route 80 and the removal of the former route 26 and understand the impact these issues have on those who depend on reliable public transport. I’ve raised these concerns with the Minister for Transport in the Dáil and the NTA in the Transport Committe. I will keep pushing for a resolution that restores dependable services for Palmerstown and Chapelizod. In the interim, on the back of feedback from me and other public representatives, the NTA has amended route 80 to run from Liffey Valley to Chapelizod, crossing at O’Connell Bridge and continue through College Green to South Great George’s Street from February 2026. If you have feedback on this proposal, and its operation, please get in touch.

I also welcomed the extension of the Free Travel Scheme in October which now means that those over 70 with a valid free travel companion Public Services Card can have another person, aged 16 or older, travel with them for free on all public and certain private transport services operated under the Free Travel scheme.

REGULATING E-SCOOTERS

I recently spoke in the Dáil, in the media and with the Minister for Transport about the need for increased regulation of e-scooters. It is important to implement a clear regulatory framework as well as safety requirements that increases accountability for users, while also balancing the convenience and benefits that e-scooters offer. Safety on our roads must remain a priority and I will continue to push for measures that protect all road users while supporting practical and sustainable transport. I look forward to continuing working with the Minster and the Department on this issue.

PUBLIC SAFETY & GARDA NUMBERS

I am delighted to see new Garda assigned to Ronanstown, Lucan and Clondalkin, which is the second intake this year. This will serve as a a vital boost to resources and community safety. I am keen to see roll-out of high visibility patrols across the constituency, and these additional Gardaí will assist in achieving that. I also welcome the 24/7 Garda unit and the high visibility patrols assigned for Balgaddy.

I have also consistently raised the need for a full-time Garda Station in Rathcoole to meet the needs of the rapidly growing Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Citywest areas and have raised this issue with the Minister for Transport and the Garda Assistant Commissioner for Dublin. There has been some recent progress which includes extending Rathcoole Station hours to 10pm as well as ongoing daily foot patrols in Citywest, Saggart and Rathcoole as well as high visibility mobile patrols operating from Rathcoole and being supported by nearby stations.These developments are encouraging and I will continue to advocate for the sufficient resourcing of Garda services in Dublin Mid-West.

School Building Projects 

I am delighted to see significant progress in the construction of the new secondary school building for Griffeen Community College, which is due for completion early 2026 which will provide space 1000 additional students. I am also hopeful for the continued progress at LCC with building works for the first phase of their extension due to begin early next year. I have raised in the Dáil the urgent need to progress the long overdue building project for both Divine Mercy Junior and Senior schools and have requested updates from the Minister for Education and Youth on all local school building projects including St Thomas’ JNS, Scoil Áine SNS and St Kevin’s Community College. These projects are vital in meeting the needs of our growing population and giving our children the education and resource they deserve. I will continue to fight for progress on these projects.

Older People and Digitalisation 

Public Health Nurses 

Many people have contacted me about the pressures on public health nursing services in our area, and it is clear this is placing a real strain on families who rely on them. I’ve raised this issue directly with the Minister for Health and recruitment has been underway to fill vacant posts. I expected to see improvement in the provision of these services in the first half of next year. I have asked the Minister for the vacancy levels of regional general nurses in community nursing roles across each HSE region, as well as the measures being taken to address these shortages, to ensure that public health nurses are able to focus on their core roles. I will continue to advocate for adequate and reliable health care for all across the constituency.

Citywest Gym

The Citywest gym  is a valued local facility and I have been working over the recent months to ensure its normal opening hours were fully restored. I am happy to announce that this commitment have now been honoured. From the 2nd of January 2026, the Leisure Centre at Citywest Campus will return to its usual schedule: 6am – 10pm Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm on Saturdays and 9am – 4pm on Sundays. I am also aware of the need for adequate parking at this facility and will continue to pursue this on behalf of the community.

OUT AND ABOUT

I am delighted to have been invited to an array of community events hosted within the constituency this month including, Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas Christmas fairs, As I Am coffee morning in JoJos Café Palmerstown, St Pats GAA Lip sync Legends fundraiser, and Creative Clondalkin. I also got to be a part of a range of celebrations such as celebrating 20 years of the Lucan Special Olympics Club and 15 years of the RAMS. It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying Lucan House at the Christmas Market.

LOCAL QUERIES AND CLINICS 

My team continue to assist with a wide range of local queries. If there’s any issue you’d like to discuss, my weekly clinics resume in January. Please call 01 618 4128 or email shane.moynihan@oireachtas.ie to arrange an appointment.