COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 14, 2015

QUESTION NO.15

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive to detail plans to promote the Business Support Grant Scheme in 2016 and in responding will he appreciate the importance of this Scheme to the Business Community.

REPLY:

It is acknowledged in the Council's 2016 Budget that commercial rates make a very significant contribution to the functioning of local government in this County and ongoing close collaboration with business is a priority. This is exemplified by the continuation of the “Business Support Fund” which next year has been set at c 1% of rates income at €1.2m. Following detailed discussions at the Economic Development SPC the fund will be used to support a number of initiatives as follows:
• A rates support grant to assist individual SME’s as has operated for the last two years. (Targeted at rateable valuations less than E10K)
• A fund for remedial works to industrial estates.
• A grant scheme for the refurbishment of vacant industrial premises for use as micro enterprise space.
• A rates holiday for LEO supported micro enterprise that locate in refurbished premises.
• A training programme for business based on their requirements.
The distribution of the fund along these lines and the precise operation of the grant schemes together with appropriate promotional arrangements to ensure awareness and uptake of the measures under the Fund will be further considered by the Economic Development SPC.

The close contacts and collaboration with business in the County will continue in 2016 particularly through the ongoing business sustainability projects with the Chamber.