COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

QUESTION NO.13

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

"To ask the Chief Executive in order to increase economic development in Clondalkin village- what incentives are being given by SDCC to encourage,keep and promote local business already in the area and develop future business opportunities in the Clondalkin area?"

REPLY:

As the area committee members will be aware the Council continues to works with all stakeholders to maximise business investment in the County including the Clondalkin area, both indigenous and foreign direct investment.

In the first instance South Dublin County Council has sought to support existing business particularly through a range of initiatives,

• The Sustainable Business Executive who is employed in conjunction with South Dublin Chamber to work with local business on sustainability issues,
• The Business Support Grant (BSG) and related business supports, introduced in the 2014 budget and continued in the 2015 based on the rationale that c1% of rates paid would be ringfenced to directly support business. (This is subject to the continued budgetary approval by the Elected Members.)
• Shop Front grant scheme, introduced in 2014 and continued in 2015, to encourage the improvement of our towns and villages, including Clondalkin. A range of shops in Clondalkin have applied this year and their applications are being considered.

The primary operation of the BSG is a direct grant to eligible businesses with a rateable value of under €10,000. The Elected members set aside €880,000 for this grant in the adopted 2015 budget. In the 2014 budget €1.2m was similarly allocated.

With respect to the additional funding from the BSG, 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.

Work is ongoing through the Economic Development, Enterprise and Tourism SPC to identify and progress improvement projects, including Cloverhill and JFK, in the Clondalkin area.

Regarding foreign direct investment, 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 Clondalkin and the wider 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 the recent completion of Griffols. Recently a site has been disposed of by the Members to Interxion, permission has been granted and it is envisaged that the project will commence on site in the near future. Revised and improved marketing material, including a new website and promotional video have been undertaken and are now live.

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:

• A training needs survey was carried out in conjunction with the Chamber during Summer 2015 which will allow for a targeted training programme to be established run through the Local Enterprise office.
• Revised promotional material to support the marketing of  Grangecastle International Business park have been completed. This work will inform wider County promotional projects to support inward investment and maintain existing business within the County. Signage will be considered in the context of the village improvement scheme.
• 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 Clondalkin. 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.        
• The Round Tower project proceeds with a tender for construction envisaged to be issued before year end.

Initiatives of this nature will continue to be rolled out in 2016.