17/09/2012

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

South Dublin County Council supporting Enterprise and Business

South Dublin County Council contributes approximately 70 of over 2000 separate actions/projects/activities undertaken by local authorities in 2011 which can be seen to contribute to local development, enterprise support and economic growth, as identified in a County and City Managers’ Association (CCMA) report  released last week.

The County and City Managers’ Association (CCMA) findings are based on research assessing the extent of existing local authority activities in support of enterprise, economic growth and employment. 

Ms. Philomena Poole County Manager of South Dublin County Council says that “the Council successfully delivers a host of projects each year to the benefit of local businesses and communities in South Dublin County. It is clear from objective analysis of the data that, in collaboration with the business community and a network of national/local agencies, South Dublin County Council provides a key enabling role in a myriad of activities which result in a job dividend. The report highlights the important role local authorities and authorities across the sector play in delivery of priority infrastructure, enterprise supports, tourism, cultural and heritage assets”.  

Local government activities on the ground to support enterprise span a broad range of activities which include

o        supporting enterprise agencies and business networking events; 

o        provision of enterprise infrastructure such as serviced sites, incubation centre’s and planning support;

o        establishing new arts /concert venues, sporting facilities and tourism products (over 320 separate projects relating to a broad range of recreation and amenities facilities were identified);

o        driving a host of local festivals and events that support employment (415 were identified as being directly supported by local authorities); 

o        local government support is also critical to the success of initiatives ranging from FDI and micro-enterprises, to rural broadband or major investment in service infrastructure,  alternative energy and the green economy;

o        the marketing, promotion and branding of counties/cities, or particular enterprises or tourist products within the local area. 200 (or almost 9%) of all actions relate to this category. This combined with the significant level of capital investment in arts, tourism, sports, recreation and community infrastructure, has a very positive impact on employment supports and economic recovery.

o        As part of the Budgetary process for 2011, South Dublin County Council approved a business development and sustainability initiative. The initiative identifies eight outcomes on an interagency basis which include: promoting strategic and foreign direct investment; re-balancing of infrastructural costs; supporting international digital services; expansion of the rates base; maximising business development supports; business sustainability collaboration with South Dublin Chamber; supporting government job placement schemes and supporting urban villages. Monthly updates in the form of an agreed template are provided to the elected members and the CDB.

o        This programme provides for a clear co-ordinated process for the Council assisting local business. A key part of this work is that in conjunction with South Dublin Chamber, a Business Sustainment Executive was appointed in May 2011. This individual works closely with business in the County to assist in the maintenance and creation of jobs in the County. For example to date this year 340 meetings have been held with local business to identify key

The report also confirms the growing importance of local authorities fostering local innovation and entrepreneurship through a range of networking events, workshops and schemes that are tailored to suit local opportunities and circumstance. Ms. Poole states that “All of this confirms that local authorities play a much broader role in enterprise support than is sometimes acknowledged, and the important responsibility placed on local authorities to continue to do so is reflected in the “Action Plan for Jobs”.

Local authorities are committed under Pathways to Work, to grow placements by mid-2013 to 2000, within the constraints on the number of places on schemes and funding availability.  The County and City Managers’ Association is exploring options with the Department of Transport and the Department of Social Protection to make greater use of Community Employment schemes.

The full report gives a useful overview for policy makers and helps to identify actions that can potentially be replicated or supported at national level. The research can also be used to guide local public representatives on how to implement the national Action Plan for Jobs at local level.

The full report and database of activities and outputs by each local authority can be found at http://www.lgma.ie/en/news   

For further information please contact the Communications Unit at 01 4149285 or email communications@sdublincoco.ie

ENDS