COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE
Monday, March 25, 2019
MOTION NO.8
MOTION: Councillor C. O'Connor
That this Area Commitee calls on the Chief Executive to take action to ensure that Government and its agencies are fully aware of the job creation needs of Tallaght and will he appreciate the concern of many that we keep hearing from politicians and organisations outside of Dublin complaining about an alleged Dublin jobs bias and will he therefore understand the importance for us all to speak up for the needs of Tallaght.
REPORT:
"The Chief Executive can confirm that he continues to take actions to ensure that the government and its agencies are fully aware of the job creation needs of Tallaght. As the County Town SDCC are focused on putting every effort in securing continued improvements to the economic activity in the area. Specifically we highlight the following:-
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 Tallaght and across the County.
The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) which is based in the County Hall building, provides financial grants, mentoring, training and other supports to assist new and developing micro-enterprises with job creation and sustainment in the County. In 2018, LEO South Dublin approved funding of €498,951 for 12 locally based enterprises creating 31 new jobs immediately and with the potential to create a further 110 new jobs over the next three years in the area.
The full range of Local Enterprise Office services are available to businesses in Tallaght and across the County to support both job creation and business development and these include financial assistance, export supports, trading online vouchers, training, mentoring and other advisory services along with the Sustainable Business Programme operated in partnership with South Dublin Chamber which offers assistance and advice to businesses.
The LEO has just completed a very successful Local Enterprise Week of meetings and workshops during events 4th – 8th March last promoting all of our supports and services for enterprise development. Many of these events and workshops were organised in collaboration other local agencies and service providers including Partas Community Enterprise, South Dublin Community Partnership, our Libraries and South Dublin Business Chamber.
LEO is also working with other relevant local agencies including South Dublin Chamber, Technological University Dublin, Tallaght campus, (formerly Institute of Technology Tallaght), and others to ensure a co-ordinated approach is taken to the actions which can impact on job creation in Tallaght and across the County.
The Council has also adopted the Dublin Regional Enterprise Strategy 2017-2019 along with the other Dublin Local Authorities and this identifies opportunities to maximise the promotion and development of enterprise across the Dublin region. The 2018 local implementation plan for the Strategy was provided to the EETD SPC included specific emphasis on initiatives for job creation, enterprise opportunities and skills requirements in Tallaght and across South Dublin in partnership with various regional partners and state agencies.
The Council is also a key partner in the Dublin Regional Enterprise Plan to 2020 which aims to build on the progress achieved under Dublin Action Plan for Jobs 2016-2018. The plan which is committed to an overall jobs uplift of 10-15% in the region building on the substantial progress of the DAPJ.
The announcement during 2018 of the Development of a new Innovation Centre in Tallaght follows on from DAPJ. This 3000m2 project which will be located in the heart of Tallaght on the Technological University – Hospital corridor has gone to tender for the design, operation and management of the facility.
The Council's 2019 Budget provided for the continuation of the Business Support Funds (BSF) through a range of supports specifically aimed at increasing occupancy and activity in industrial areas to increase economic activity and support additional local employment. A presentation and workshop on the Business Support Fund took place at the Tallaght SPC Meeting on February 13th 2019 and a number of new initiatives were proposed by the SPC for consideration in 2019.
An initiative from key stakeholders in SDC to create a higher profile for itself in attracting more indigenous and FDI and be more proactive in the marketing and promotion of SDC is currently being explored in collaboration with South Dublin chamber funded under BSF.