Fingal Data Hub Launched by Fingal Development Board
Fingal Data Hub Launches a new internet-based data information service for the public
On Friday 3rd April 2009, the Fingal Development Board launched a new internet- based data service called the Fingal Data Hub. Members of the public may view official statistics and other types of data all about their local areas in Fingal. The Data Hub’s Chairperson, Ann Brophy, hosted the seminar, which is expected to attract almost 100 people from various organisations. Speakers included Cllr Ciarán Byrne, Chairman of the Fingal Development Board, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Michael Donovan, Bruce McCormack from the Department of the Environment, Mahon FitzGerald of Geo-wise, Pete Rose of Tekenable Consultants and Dominic Byrne of Fingal County Council’s IT Department.
The purpose of the seminar was to launch the public side of the hub which contains useful statistics on themes like ‘People with Disabilities’, ‘Internet Access’, ‘Ethnic Mixes in Local Areas’, ‘Children of School Age and Demand for School Places’, ‘Car Ownership’, ‘Childcare Places’, ‘Occupational Classes’ and the planning characteristics and the availability of services in each local area.
Chairman of the Fingal Development Board, Cllr Ciarán Byrne explained that:
“…over the last 8 years there has been a huge demand for information requests from sports clubs, community groups and individual members of the public. These requests often want the same basic information and don’t know where to go about finding it. Hopefully the Fingal Data Hub will streamline that and allow non-experts to see the data they want on a chart or on a map and simplify everything for them.” He continues, “As an elected member of the Council, I am aware that the other European Union territories with which we have contact also have fast growing populations. They have a similar thirst for this type of information and I am very pleased to have helped this initiative to get off the ground through the Fingal Development Board”
Fingal Data Hub Chairperson Ann Brophy goes on to explain that this is in fact the early days of the Fingal Data Hub from the public point of view, “We have worked behind the scenes to put the agreements between the various bodies in place, develop the web interface and re-code all the data so that it matches the small areas of Fingal. While we want the public to see this and use it, we also want them to tell us what data they want to see that might be included.”
To use the Fingal Data Hub, visit http://www.fdb.ie/fingaldatahub/Register.asp and then register with your name and a password. This will allow you to browse various maps and charts for each of the 42 districts of Fingal. Suggestions for additional data from members of the public are welcome at fingaldatahub@fingalcoco.ie
For further information on Fingal Data Hub, or this event, please contact:
Florence White, Communications Officer, Fingal County Council at
T: 01-890 5998 or M: 087 414n 1580 or florence.white@fingalcoco.ie or
Ann Murphy, Assistant Communications Officer, Fingal County Council at
T: 01-870 4453 or M: 087 990 8470 or ann.murphy@fingalcoco.ie
Fingal Dublin Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Buildings, North Street, Swords, County Dublin, Ireland. T +353 1 890 0977 I F +353 1 890
0990 I E info@fingaldublinchamber.ie
