COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 11, 2013

QUESTION NO. 12

QUESTION: Councillor J. Lahart

To ask the Manager if she will outline some of the specific measures aimed at assisting Sole Traders in the county and to make a statement on the matter?

REPLY:

As part of the budgetary process for 2011, South Dublin County Council approved a Business Development and Sustainability Initiative progress on which is updated on a monthly basis to the CPG. As part of that initiative, in conjunction with South Dublin Chamber, a Sustainable Business Executive was appointed in May 2011. The post involves working closely with business, (including non Chamber business), to assist in sustaining and creating jobs in the County. 

More recently, the Economic Strategy for the County, (agreed by the CPG, Economic Development SPC and Council), clearly identifies the need to support and develop local business in the County. The roll out of the Local Enterprise Office structure will provide greater focus on service to existing and potential new business in the County. Focusing on business on our villages the Strategy recognises that each town and village has its own unique attributes, they can be generally classified as being hubs for local services and retailing. They further act as centres for local community and civic activity and have been at the centre of civic improvements by the local authority. It is a core development plan objective to consolidate, strengthen and improve our existing villages.

A brochure detailing Council supports for business will be circulated to all ratepayers in the County this month. (Text below).

Supports for Enterprise, Economic Growth and Employment

The Council plays a key enabling role in a wide range of activities which result in a job dividend for the County. The Council is also committed to the delivery of a host of projects which aim to benefit local businesses and communities in South Dublin County. The marketing of South Dublin County as a great place to develop a business, combined with the significant level of capital investment in the arts, tourism, sports, recreation, community facilities and transport infrastructure has a very positive impact on employment supports and economic recovery.  Activities supporting business and enterprise include:

Investment in South Dublin County

The council has an extensive network of infrastructure which supports the needs of the business community. The council continues to seek funding and investment in the development of modern infrastructural networks including Roads, Water and Drainage Services, Waste, Telecommunications/Broadband and Energy resources. A total of € 870 million Euro has been invested in Roads and Water/Drainage infrastructure capital projects over the last 10 years. The existence of a modern and extensive infrastructure network which is supported and managed by the council ensures that the County of South Dublin remains an attractive place for business and for future inward investment.

Economic Strategy

The Council has developed an Economic Strategy which is geared towards maintaining the County’s position as economic driver within the wider region and as destination for indigenous business and foreign direct investment.

Sustaining & Developing Business in South Dublin –commenced 2011

Commenced in 2011, the focus of this initiative is to support existing business in the county and encourage new business. It is run in partnership with South Dublin Chamber. In 2012 it gave direct support to 65 local businesses and helped in the provision of support progammes on a wide range of areas including: Energy, Opportunities, Retailing, Illegal Trade and ICT.

One 2 One Support for Business

In 2013, Andrea Carroll, South Dublin Chamber Sustainable Business Executive will aim to meet with 100 local businesses, this business support service is available to both Chamber /Non Chamber members and will provide direct support services to these businesses. Email andrea.carroll@sdchamber.ie  

Business Support at South Dublin Libraries

The library service is now providing a wide range of free resources for businesses across the county including the latest in business books and magazines, eBooks, regular mentoring workshops, dedicated business space at the County Library, enterprise seminars plus free wi-fi research space and drop-in business networking sessions. This years “Business Focus 2013” is covering topics such as motivation, website and blog training, PR for business, tendering and much, much more. Visit www.southdublinlibraries.ie

 Sustainable Energy Initiatives

The Council has been working at national and EU level to develop projects aimed at increasing energy awareness and reducing energy costs for business. These projects include: Tallaght Sustainable Energy Community, Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP), Leadership in Energy Action Planning (LEAP). LEAP will complete in 2013 and new opportunities are being explored in this area.

Promoting a Cleaner, Greener South Dublin

South Dublin County Council removed over 6,000 tonnes of waste in 2012, making the county a more attractive place in which to work and live. The provision for cleansing and litter management in 2013 is approximately €6.5m. South Dublin County Council has developed www.fixyourstreet.ie , a publicly accessible web site with associated mobile technologies on which businesses can report non emergency issues such as street lighting, drainage, graffiti, illegal dumping, road and footpath maintenance. Issues raised on ‘fixyourstreet.ie’ will be responded within 2 working days.

Encouraging Local Spending

‘Think Local’ is an initiative to create and develop community awareness of the advantages and benefits of supporting local business. Think Local asks you as an individual or as a business to make a conscious decision to switch some of your existing spend to local products, services and facilitiesin South Dublin County. For more information visit www.thinklocal.ie

The Local Authority has been working with community and business groups from our local villages to develop local vibrant and active centres through dialogue between local businesses and the local authority.

Tourism Development and Promotion

The Gathering 2013 will be an exciting celebration of Ireland. South Dublin will host in excess of 25 international sports and cultural events, with an expected attendance of 17,000 overseas visitors to the area.  This is a collaborative initiative with South Dublin County Tourism. For more information visit www.thegatheringdublin.com

In addition, the Council provides and maintains award winning sporting and recreational facilities throughout the county including, Tallaght Stadium, Rua Red Arts Centre and the Civic Theatre. Last year alone these facilities attracted a footfall of in excess of 250,000 visitors, both local and international into South Dublin County.