COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 13, 2010

QUESTION NO. 22

QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

To ask the Manager for an updated report on the Council's Innovation Enterprize Zones Initiative, including a report on the extension of the IEZ Initiative to other Dublin Local Authorities?

REPLY:

The IE Network is the next stage development from the pilot scheme, IEZ, which was founded in September 2009 by South Dublin County Council for the benefit of its unemployed high-skilled/ professionals which it recognised had limited assistance from existing State and local employment and welfare resources, most of which catered to the traditional low-skilled worker.

The Innovation Enterprise Network (IE Network) is an innovative network catering for the professional and social needs of unemployed high-skilled/ professionals in the Dublin region.

The purpose of the IE Network is threefold:

1.     To facilitate professional and social networking amongst the peer group of unemployed high-skilled/ professionals and to consolidate the existing services available to them;

2.     To target these to Members, so that they can either go about setting up their own business, or simply brush up on their job-seeking skills, such as CV writing and interview techniques; and

3.   To supplement public services with tailored professional social training and events to the specific needs of  Members

 While professional Network works for the benefit of currently unemployed high-skilled/ professionals, the Dublin Regional Authority is instigating this initative and providing financial support.

Networking events are the cornerstone of the project and the IE Network Manager is currently meeting members one morning each week to discuss any and all issues, particularly, the development of the IE Network and the needs of the individual members.  Further, members enjoy these meetings as it provides them with an opportunity to talk openly with like-minded high skilled professions who are in the same boat. 

The website is still being upgraded and amended, as good suggestions are made, and work is ongoing on providing members with current news and event.  Further the website will be linked to other relevant bodies, such as, universities, ITs, local authorities, professional bodies and others, as identified.

Contacts are ongoing with the DRA in this regard and members will be updated on the progress of the initiative.