COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Thursday, September 15, 2016

MOTION NO. 10

MOTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

"That this Tallaght Area Committee calls on the Chief Executive once again to prioritise the job creation needs of Tallaght noting the need to tackle the unemployment situation in Tallaght and to cater for the future generations of young people who will qualify from the area's school and college system and in reporting will he detail initiatiaves being taken by the Council in that regard."

REPORT:

The South Dublin Local Economic and Community Plan 2016 – 2021 includes a series of economic objectives each of which identifies target actions and the key stakeholders involved.  These actions are aimed at putting the appropriate infrastructure, enterprise and employment supports in place to improve the level and quality of economic activity in the County.  An update on progress on the economic elements of the LECP was presented to the September 2016 Economic Development, Enterprise and Tourism SPC Meeting.

At the forefront of these supports, our Local Enterprise Office (LEO) provides financial grants, mentoring, training and other supports to assist new and developing micro-enterprises with job creation and sustainment in the Tallaght area and throughout the County.  LEO is also working with relevant local agencies including South Dublin Chamber, Institute of Technology Tallaght, Synergy, Partas, South Dublin County Partnership and others to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the actions which can impact on job creation in Tallaght and beyond.

The Council's 2016 Budget provided for the expansion of the Business Support Funds through a range of supports specifically aimed at at increasing occupancy and activity in industrial areas to increase economic activity and support additional local employment.  Works are now progressing in Cookstown and Old Begard Road under the Industrial Areas Improvement Scheme through this fund with further possible projects being explored in Greenhills Industrial Estate and Whitestown Business Park. In addition, there are a number of applications now coming through in the Tallaght area for both the Individual Unit Support Scheme and the Microenterprise Development Scheme which are being assessed and which will assist local small businesses in sustaining and creating employment.

The Council has also commissioned an Enterprise Strategy on behalf of the four Dublin Local Authorities which will examine opportunities to maximise the promotion and development of enterprise across the Dublin region.  This Strategy is anticipated to be completed this month and will ensure further emphasis on on job creation, enterprise opportunities and skills requirements in the County.

The Council is also a key partner in the Dublin Action Plan for Jobs 2016-2018 which aims to realise the full jobs potential of the Dublin region by stimulating enterprise and growth using the collaborative strengths of the region. We are working with various national, regional and local partners to ensure that this impacts on Tallaght and across the County.   The inaugural meeting of the Implementation Committee for the DAPJ 2016-2018 takes place on Monday 19th September in Fingal County Council offices after which a progress report will be available.