COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, September 28, 2015

QUESTION NO. 22

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

"To ask the Chief Executive to report on his continued efforts to progress the Job creation needs of Tallaght confirming contacts he has made with Government Agencies in that regard and also confirming his plans to provide a further Enterprise space in Tallaght."

REPLY:

This Council continues to be committed to supporting and promoting job creation throughout the County, not least in Tallaght, this has included the development of a county economic strategy, jobs strategy and Local enterprise office. In practical terms this has included:

• The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) South Dublin was set up in April 2014 under a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the Council and      Enterprise Ireland. Under the terms of this SLA, the LEO continues to be in constant contact with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and      Innovation and Enterprise Ireland, including on matters of policy formation both nationally and specifically relating to South Dublin.The LEO will actively participate in the forthcoming regional Jobs strategy which will be prepared by the DJIE starting later this year. In addition, there are separate protocols in place at national level to enhance the existing relationships between LEOs (including LEO South Dublin) and Department of Social Protection, the Revenue Commissioners and Failte Ireland. 
• The Council was centrally involved in the funding and construction of five new enterprise centres throughout the county, including three in the Tallaght area which are under the management of Partas. The Council continues to give active support to these centres. As part of the Councils’ ongoing commitment to support enterprise and employment a full analysis of enterprise centres will be carried out to maximise new start-ups within the existing facilities. Following this analysis further provision may be considered. 

• As the member will be aware, with respect to the additional funding from the Business Support Grant, as agreed, they will be used to target industrial vacancy/underutilisation and obsolescence and to promote innovation and enterprise, on a percentage breakdown of -
•  60%- infrastructural upgrading works to be of a capital  nature.
•   30%- innovation, start-up advice and      supports including potential incubation space
•   10%- targeted training, to be identified by targeted surveys      and delivered through LEO

       In pursuance of this initiative the Council would be supportive of proposals from the private sector for the provision of start-up or incubation space.

• The Local Economic Community Plan is being drafted at present. Draft Economic policies have been circulated to the Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development SPC. This statutory plan will support improved opportunity for economic development and employment in South Dublin County, including Tallaght. As part the implementation of the Plan there will be further collaboration with economic stakeholders which will include relevant Government Departments and state agencies including the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. It is envisaged that this Plan will be put before the elected members before the end of 2015 for their consideration.