LAST UPDATE | 7 May 2024

A TASKFORCE AIMED at rejuvenating Dublin city centre with be appointed by Taoiseach Simon Harris on Thursday after plans were approved by Cabinet today.

The new team, which will have a focus on improving the safety of the city and the public transport network in the north and south of the inner city, was proposed by Harris today.

The safety of the city centre became an issue last summer following a number of assaults in the heart of the capital.

Fears around the current spaces available to use by artists were also highlighted in a recent standoff between Dublin City Council and an artists collective based in Ballybough in the north inner city.

The taskforce will be required to recommend to improvements to the public realm, safety and experience in the City Centre, at aims at making the area a more thriving, attractive and safe cityscape.

The recommendations will also aim to make Dublin city centre a desirable location to live, work, do business and visit; and a destination for retail, hospitality and cultural experiences.

⁠It will look at the use of cultural spaces, the public transport network, and issues around anti-social behaviour and litter.

⁠The taskforce to be proposed by the Taoiseach on Thursday will be led by an independent chair and will include representatives from An Garda Síochána, Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority, among others.

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⁠It’s understood it will have a 12-week timeline once formed and its recommendations will feed into the conclusion of an action plan for Dublin.

Additional reporting by Muiris O’Cearbhaill