Plans to revitalise urban villages in Dublin have been launched by Fianna Fáil.

The policy, written by Dublin City Councillors Daithí de Róiste and Paul McAuliffe, targets villages within the city confines that have suffered serious decline in recent years at the hands of large out-of-town shopping malls.

It outlines a series of measures to rejuvenate urban villages like Finglas, Ballyfermot, Raheny, Drumcondra and Rathmines to make them more attractive places to shop and socialise, thereby creating local jobs and boosting community spirit.

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The Fianna Fáil plan proposes:

• The establishment of a Village Team for each urban village in Dublin. This would include the local Tidy Towns Chairperson, a Garda Community Sergeant, local business owners and Dublin City Council planning experts;

• The establishment of a Village Manager in each of the nine electoral districts to coordinate the work of the Village Teams in that district;

• The roll-out of well-organised village markets and village festivals that compliment local businesses and help increase footfall in the area;

• Reduced commercial rates for new village based businesses and those in key areas;

• A commercial rates surcharge of 15% on out-of-town shopping centres;

• 90 minutes free parking in urban villages;

• Disincentives to prevent landlords from leaving units vacant or rendering them un-rentable.

(CD)