Community Engagement
The airport is a neighbour to many communities on whom we depend to operate the airport on a daily basis. Our policy to promote positive development in education, literacy, sports and the arts in our local communities has always been part of the culture of Dublin Airport.We have a long-standing track record of working with many communities across North Dublin, with a particularly close association with our neighbours in Cloghran, St. Margaret’s, Swords, Portmarnock, Malahide and Santry. We aim to continually support and engage with local schools, community groups and projects in these areas and beyond, through the implementation of a variety of initiatives such as our community fund, educational programmes and dedicated engagement forums.
Community Engagement
We understand that a balance needs to be achieved in operating an international airport and the needs of our local communities.
This is why Dublin Airport has an open-door policy where we are happy to meet our neighbours on a one-to-one basis or in community groups.
Community Liaison Group
The St. Margaret’s Community Liaison Group (CLG) was established in 2016 and comprises representatives from the local community, daa and Fingal County Council.
Since its inception, the group has been focusing on many areas of interest to the local community including airport operations and future plans. Where required, experts attend the meetings to provide an opportunity for a detailed discussion on a topic that is deemed to be of particular interest to the group.
This is a hugely beneficial forum that facilitates information exchange and provides a solid platform for all three bodies to communicate in an open and transparent manner.
The group’s meeting documentation is available here.
Contact
Our dedicated Community Engagement team is on hand to answer any queries you may have.
please contact:
Angela Flynn
Community Engagement Manager
E: angela.flynn@daa.ie
Janine Davidson
Community Engagement Executive
E: janine.davidson@daa.ie
Community News
We are happy to announce Dublin Airport’s Community Fund support for the 'Play Therapy' project in Ballymun, an initiative that resonates deeply with local friends, neighbours, and families.
At Dublin Airport, we understand the profound significance of projects that positively impact our neighbours, friends, and families. 'Play Therapy,' powered by Youngballymun and supported by our Community Fund since 2021, provides vital art materials, toys, and therapy equipment to children facing chronic, mild, and moderate psychological and emotional challenges, easing distress for both the children and their families.
Youngballymun, established in 2007 as part of the national Area Based Childhood Programme (ABC), is dedicated to promoting secure relationships and fostering positive wellbeing and learning outcomes for children from pre-birth onward. As the first-ever school-based Play Therapy project in Ireland, 'Play Therapy' covers all eleven schools in the area and seeks to improve outcomes for up to 300 children over a two-year period.
Kenny Jacobs, daa CEO, expresses immense pride in the collaboration with Youngballymun and the impact of the 'Play Therapy' project. He said, "At Dublin Airport, we are not just a transport hub; we are an integral part of the vibrant community surrounding us. We take immense pride in supporting initiatives that leave a lasting impact on the lives of our neighbours and their families. 'Play Therapy' is a shining example of how, together, we can create positive change."
Through 'Play Therapy,' seven dedicated therapists work across the eleven primary schools, utilizing tools like the 'Expressions Dolls' to help children express their emotions through observation and description. These dolls, dressed in clothes with symbols representing different moods, facilitate communication and sensitivity development, creating a safe and nurturing environment for the children to explore their feelings.
Niamh, a child psychotherapist specializing in Play Therapy and actively involved in the project, shared her gratitude, saying, "Youngballymun and the Ballymun Principals Network are thrilled with the progress of 'Play Therapy' and the support it provides to children who might not otherwise have access to such transformative therapy. This project can change the trajectory of a child's life, and it's heartwarming to see how many children are benefiting from it. The Dublin Airport Community Fund's support is invaluable in providing the necessary toys and equipment to create a safe space where children feel valued."
Picture: Youngballymun’s Niamh Mullins, the Ballymun School Network Project Coordinator and Our Lady of Victories BNS Principal Roisin Hickey with Janine Davidson, Dublin Airport’s Community Engagement Executive.
Established in 2017 with an investment of €10 million over 25 years, the Dublin Airport Community Fund is dedicated to fostering positive contributions to the communities surrounding Dublin Airport. Spanning from Santry to Rolestown and Tyrrelstown to Portmarnock, the 13 eligible areas welcome applications for transformative projects.
The fund operates through an independent Grant Making Panel that evaluates and awards funding to deserving initiatives. Moreover, the Community Fund extends its support beyond community projects by sponsoring up to 20 students annually from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, enabling them to pursue higher education at Dublin City University (DCU) through the Access Programme.
To learn more about Dublin Airport's Community Fund and the transformative initiatives it supports, click HERE.