PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 2^ND FEBRUARY 2009

Launch of

An Integrated Economic Strategy for South Dublin County

on February 3^rd in the Big Picture, Tallaght by the

Chair of the South Dublin County Development Board, Cllr. Eamonn Tuffy

South Dublin County Development Boards An Integrated Economic Strategy for South Dublin County will be officially launched on Tuesday, February 3^rd at 1 p.m. in the multi-media Big Picture Centre, Tallaght by Cllr. Eamonn Tuffy, Chair of the County Development Board.

This strategy acknowledges that South Dublin is a County with enormous assets - chief among them, the people. The County has a history and present reality of innovation, examples of educational excellence and individuals and companies succeeding in a competitive global market.

This strategy is for all who live, work, study and visit South Dublin County. It sets the direction for the whole of the public sector to work collaboratively with the private, academic and voluntary sectors to deliver real improvement in incomes, opportunities and the aspirations of our people.

Key priorities of this strategy are to:

Ensure that sufficient land is made available for business over the next 20 years and that first rate supporting infrastructure continues to be developed in order that the County remains competitive as a location for business;

growth sector development explore sectors in which activities in the County could grow, generating wealth and employment opportunities: business and leisure tourism, energy, environmental resources, healthcare, logistics, aviation;

access to improving opportunities and services for all ensure that all County residents are able to take advantage of improving learning and employment opportunities and services;

an improved image of the county, raising profile and a heightened sense of place continue to develop an identity and image for the County and raise its profile regionally, nationally and internationally.

The South Dublin County Development Board recognises that we are all in the midst of difficult, challenging and uncertain times, however we can face the future knowing that our economic activity is supported by a well-developed physical infrastructure allowing ease of transportation of people and goods across, into and out of the County. Planning on major projects, including roads, water services, energy etc., has embraced the concept of looking ahead to what may be required not only for the near future but for many years ahead. Education and training facilities and services adaptable to the needs of a balanced economy are provided across the county.

This Strategy will allow the stakeholders to focus on what can be achieved with the resources currently available, and aims to consolidate current economic activity and allow growth as the economy improves. This Economic Strategy sets out how a more successful county, with opportunities for all living and working in South Dublin to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth can be developed. By aligning investment in learning and skills, infrastructure and place, with a supportive business environment and effective government, economic growth can be shared fairly among the people of South Dublin County and future generations can enjoy a better quality of life.

For further details on South Dublin County Development Board or to download a copy of An Integrated Economic Strategy for South Dublin County visit our website at:

www.southdublin.ie

ENDS

ISSUED 2^ND FEBRUARY 2009