COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE
Monday, January 27, 2020
QUESTION NO. 4
QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor
"To ask the CEO to confirm actions being taken to promote the job creation needs of Tallaght; will he detail contacts he has made in that regard and will he make a statement."
REPLY:
"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 2019, LEO South Dublin approved funding of €€825,520.70 for 28 locally based enterprises creating 52.5 new jobs immediately and with the potential to create a further new jobs over the coming 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 is currently planning a full programme events, workshops and meetings for Local Enterprise Week 2020 which will take place from 2nd – 6th March next across the county. The week’s activities will promote all of our supports and services for enterprise development. Many of these events and workshops are being organised in collaboration other local agencies and service providers including Partas Community Enterprise, South Dublin Community Partnership, our Libraries and South Dublin Business Chamber and TU Dublin.
This co-ordinated approach taken by LEO ensures that every opportunity is taken to create awareness of the supports available to support businesses so that in turn, it will positively impact on job creation in Tallaght and across the County.
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.
During 2018 the development of a new Innovation Centre in Tallaght was announced. In 2019 tenders were sought on OJEU and appointments completed for a Project Advisor and Centre Management Team and an Architect-led Design teams to deliver and operate this 3500m2 project which will be located in the heart of Tallaght on the Technological University – Hospital corridor. The project is currently progressing delivery through Planning and subject to same will progress to construction during 2020.
An expanded Business Support Funds (BSF) was agreed by the EETD Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) for 2020 which will build on projects and unit supports in the business parks around Tallaght and across the county and will increase economic activity and support additional local employment.
Then initiative from key stakeholders in SDC to create a higher profile for itself in attracting more indigenous and FDI has been in development in partnership with South Dublin Chamber funded under BSF and a county wide business marketing and promotional plan is currently under development for roll out later in 2020."