FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON THE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
What is a Residents Association, and why do we need one?
A Residents Association (RA) is a representative group of volunteers
with a mandate to deal, on behalf of a particular area, with
public and private organizations and bodies.
During the past couple of years, a number of local issues have
arisen traffic congestion, excessive motor speeds on the roads
in and around the estates, problems with refuse collections,
rubbish, access to the estate and park, local congestion, and
lack of public amenities, to name a few. Over the next few years,
other issues will no doubt also come to the fore - the Adamstown
development, new estates, lack of infrastructural support, adequate
and suitable educational facilities, etc. A Residents Association
will act as a lobby group, and will petition and interact on
your behalf with South Dublin County Council, and other organisations.
In dealing with public bodies, such as a local authority, a
Residents Association is in most instances a much more effective
mechanism for getting desired results than are individuals.
Individuals asking for specific services may not generate much
of a response. An organised group, representing a few hundred
households, asking for amenities or services is much more likely
to be heeded. Furthermore, it is likely that committee members
of the RA will build working relationships with officers in
the local authority, routing requests and demands to the most
appropriate places. Finally, elected representatives - TDs and
Councillors - have shown that they are much more likely to deal
with Residents Associations. If it is felt that speed ramps
are necessary, or better lighting, and so on, the RA will be
tasked with fighting for it.
Do I have to do anything?
In short - no, unless you want to. Responsibility for canvassing
the various organisations will fall to the Committee or to ordinary
members who volunteer their time and expertise. The duty of
ordinary members will be to pay an annual fee, and to inform
the Committee of any issues they may want the Association to
consider and/or address.
Who runs the Residents Association?
A Committee, voted for each year by members of the RA, will
direct the Association. It will get its authority from ordinary
members, who may ask that they consider certain issues, and
request that the Committee undertake action to address those
issues.
Why, and how much do I have to pay?
There will be an annual charge payable by all members of the
Residents Association to cover costs of insurance, and general
administrative costs, such as postage and telephones. The annual
charge will be set by the Committee. An annual account will
be prepared and distributed to all members.
What is the difference between a Residents Association and
the Neighbourhood Watch?
Neighbourhood Watch deals only with home and personal security
and reports to the Gardai. The Residents Association will deal
with other issues falling outside the responsibility of the
Neighbourhood Watch.
Is the Residents Association affiliated to ACRA?
The decision to affiliate with ACRA (the umbrella organisation
for Residents Associations in Ireland) or any other body will
be a matter for the RA committee.
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