COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, February 24, 2020

QUESTION NO. 2

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

"To ask the Chief Executive to detail contacts he has had with stakeholders in Cookstown Industrial Estate, Tallaght, in respect of the various issues raised in the matter at previous meetings and will he make a statement."

REPLY:

As detailed in previous replies there have been ongoing contacts with business owners in Cookstown. A number of projects in the area have been funded under the Business Support Fund.

The Council Budget has provided for the continuation of the Business Support Funds in 2020 and there have, and continue to be contacts on an ongoing basis with the stakeholders in Cookstown Industrial Estate and a direct marketing campaign is planned for this month (February) for the estate to encourage engagement with business owners under BSF.

The BSF also includes Microenterprise/Start-up Support which encourages new micro enterprise owners who upgrade an existing vacant premises to avail of a graduated “rates holiday” for up to two years.

We are dealing presently with an enquiry from the Cookstown Management Company for improvements works to Cookstown Enterprise Centre (which comprise up to 30 individual units). A full detailed proposal on planned works is currently being prepared by the Management Company.

The development of a new enterprise/innovation space with associated enterprise support services in the County which was endorsed by the members of the County Council in 2018 is now progressing through to planning and subject to same will progress to construction stage in early 2021. The 3,000sq. metre enterprise/innovation facility which will be located on the Tallaght Corridor, i.e., between the ITT (now TU Dublin, Tallaght Campus) and Tallaght University Hospital is adjacent to Cookstown neighbourhood and will be a significant addition to the area, in conjunction with other proposed significant developments along the Corridor.

The delivery of an Innovation Hub for Tallaght Town Centre is a key objective of the LAP and priority project for the Council, which will provide for a landmark building with a range of business accommodation types to suit different enterprises. In leading on the delivery of this project, the Council recognises the importance of supporting job creation and higher intensity employment opportunities in the Cookstown and Tallaght area. It is the policy of the Council to support and encourage the formation and continuation of small and medium enterprises and the proposed Innovation Hub has the potential to build on the existing strengths of the area, such as the Synergy Centre in TUD-Tallaght and Tallaght Hospital.