COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 14, 2013

QUESTION NO. 8

QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney

To ask the Manager to provide a report on the practical assistance, support and initiatives provided on a standalone or partner basis by SDCC in (a) maintaining and (b) growing employment in the County?

REPLY:

In response to the current economic climate and Government Policy, in particular, the Action Plan for Jobs and 'Putting People first', this Council continues to undertake a wide range of actions in support of economic development. These actions include :

• The development of an economic strategy for the County. (Agreed at December 2012 Council meeting)
• The consequent development of an action plan. (Also agreed at December 2012 Council meeting).
• The ongoing work of a sub group of the Planning and Development SPC.
•  Support for the sustaining business executive, (under the Sustaining & Developing Business Programme),  in conjunction with South Dublin Chamber.
•  Ongoing support and assistance for the IEN, including the ongoing creation of work space in a central area within County Hall.
• The interagency approach involving the relevant stakeholders embedded in the economic subgroup for the County, chaired by the South Dublin Chamber..
• The physical presence of the CEB in County Hall and the progress made on the concept of an "Innovation Hub" in that public area.
• Ongoing development work for the creation of the Local Enterprise Office (LEO), this will build on the existing physical presence of the CEB in County Hall. 
• The working relationships established with local agencies, business and national bodies through the "Sustaining and developing business programme".
•  Ongoing support for local business through the development of specific activities in the County libraries.
• Social media and other form of IT training for members of the IEN and other interested parties.
•  A full monthly update on the Council's Strategic Support towards business development and survival is provided at the Corporate Policy Group Meetings at the following link.

In terms of employment initiatives the Council will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders in promoting and developing programmes in accordance with Government strategy, including the emerging SEC & LEO,  leading to alignment of skills with enterprise needs. Particularly the Council will work closely with the Local Development Companies, Dodder Valley and CPLN, in the co-ordinated delivery of their Strategies and Action Plans in meeting the goals of the LCDP and specifically in relation to access to training towards job readiness and supporting local enterprise.

A full report on progress was given to the September meeting of the Economic Development, including Planning, SPC, to which all members of the Council  were invited. A report of that meeting is listed on the agenda for todays meeting.  In relation to support for economic development and job creation this forms a central element of the work of the Planning and Development SPC which has formed a sub-group to work on the delivery of the action plan resulting from the County Economic Strategy. The next meeting of the sub-group is scheduled for 10th October and will be the subject of a report to the next Economic Development, including Planning, SPC.