COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, February 09, 2015
QUESTION NO. 3
QUESTION: Councillor M. Duff
To ask the Chief Executive to advise this Council if he is aware of efforts, if any, by the IDA or others, to facilitate or encourage foreign Companies to locate in South Dublin County?
REPLY:
As members will be aware the Council works with all stakeholders to maximise business investment in the County, both indigenous and foreign direct investment. In this regard we fully support the efforts of the IDA to encourage and facilitate foreign companies to locate in South Dublin County, particularly in Grange Castle Business Park, but also in the other Business Parks in the County. Grange Castle is marketed by the IDA as an international Business Park of regional and national importance. The success of the policy is demonstrated in that the zoned lands are substantially now built out, with significant projects currently under construction in the Park by Google, Microsoft and Griffols. There are regular contacts from itineraries to the Park in relation to the remaining sites, (c 10 visits during June - December 2014), and the most recent client was the disposal to Interexion approved at the December meeting.
As set out in the Business Support Programme and report to CPG each month business supports in the County range from the physical development of business related infrastructure in the County to pre-planning meetings on emerging projects. Activity in this regard includes :
- The Council supported a Chamber trade mission to Manchester in May 2014
- In October 2014 the Council sponsored a commercial property expo in Tallaght Stadium to showcase commercial development opportunities in the County.
- The Economic Survey carried out in conjunction with the Chamber during Summer 2014 will enable the identification of clusters of business type and activity for targeted interventions in the future.
Initiatives of this nature will continue to be rolled out in 2015.
The Economic element of the Local Economic Community Plan will include consultation and support from state agencies such as the IDA and Enterprise Ireland and local stakeholders including South Dublin Chamber. The plan process is under way in conjunction with the SPC which is meeting on 11th February.