COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 11, 2013

QUESTION NO. 14

QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

To ask the Manager for a progress report on the setting up of the South Dublin County LEO (Local Enterprise Office)?

REPLY:

Since August 2010 the South Dublin CEB has occupied an office and public area in County Hall. The facility was formerly the 'Property Path', a stand alone initiative to deal with information relating to, and sales of, affordable housing. Accordingly, the office was designed as a high profile street side 'retail' type facility with a large public information/contact/display area and generous back office provision. Total internal area is c 80 m2 and has immediate dedicated access to Belgard Square North creating the opportunity for high profile signing and branding.  

The elected members of SDCC agreed an Economic Strategy and related Action Plan for the County in December 2012 and have established an SPC Working Group to guide the implementation of the Plan. The Plan recognises the LEO as a "core supporting initiative". It goes on to state :  "This will bring together the range of activities being carried out by state actors, such as the Council and the County Enterprise boards, to support local enterprise.  The LEO under the auspices of the Council will act as a 'one-stop-shop' for small and micro business in the County. They will provide a range of services such as advice, information on accessing public procurement, access to supports and funding and support for the progression of high growth companies to appropriate Enterprise Ireland supports. Work is ongoing on putting in place the LEO framework and building on the South Dublin County Enterprise board located in County Hall."

Whilst the CEB currently occupies the above area on a stand alone basis the implementation of the LEO will create further opportunities to provide immediate access to other physical, (internal meeting rooms, ICT etc.), and policy related  supports, (IEN, business support, energy and transport projects etc.), currently available to, but somewhat decoupled from, CEB staff and clients. Initiatives on IEN, Business Support and our Energy and Transport programmes provide immediate 'start up' opportunities and through the CDB and other structures we have developed the interagency approach in South Dublin County envisaged for the LEO.

Whilst there is broad  national understanding on LEO operation implementation is subject to the supporting legislation being passed by the houses of the Oireachtas. The legislation is currently before the Houses. However, following approval of the legislation,, as outlined above, it is considered that South Dublin County is well placed to ensure best value for clients from LEO implementation.