18/04/2013
Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
Press Release from South Dublin County Council
18th April 2013
County Manager Philomena Poole today supported the report ‘Supporting Enterprise, Local Development and Economic Growth-Analysis of Local Authority Activities for 2012’ which was published by the County and City Managers’ Association (CCMA). The report which was welcomed by Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan T.D., identifies over 2,300 separate actions/projects/activities undertaken by local authorities across the country in 2012 to contribute towards job creation and economic development.
The report includes a large number of activities carried out by South Dublin County Council in 2012 particularly this Council’s support for business and inward investment including a dedicated business support programme with the local Chamber. Our recently adopted Economic Strategy targets investment in developing infrastructure to enable investment; supports entrepreneurship through providing financial incentives, facilities and training; and provides & promotes information and festivals that bring tourism into our area.
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. The report findings confirm the very important role all Local Authorities currently play in supporting enterprise, local development and economic growth throughout the country.
Philomena Poole said “The results show the range of experience and unique capability of local authorities across the country to support local development. I am pleased that the report highlights the key role South Dublin County Council plays in supporting enterprise and economic growth across the County. We will analyse the report in detail to identify best practice from the sector and opportunities to collaborate on projects. This report will also assist us in the implementation of our Economic Strategy and Action Plan agreed by the elected members in December 2012â€.
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.
As part of the Action Plan for Jobs, launched by Minister Hogan in September 2012, the County & City Enterprise Boards are being replaced by Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), to act as first-stop shops to deliver enterprise supports through the local government system. South Dublin County Council is fully committed to continue working towards establishing the LEOs in South Dublin County in the coming months.
Local authority input is essential across the full spectrum of actions outlined in the national “Action Plan for Jobsâ€. The Action Plan complements the broader government plan, and highlights the existing contribution by local authorities to jobs and enterprise. The research findings in this report conclusively demonstrates that local authorities collaborate on a daily basis with the business community and a network of national / local agencies, providing a key enabling role in a myriad of activities which ultimately yield valuable and significant job dividends
Philomena Poole County Manager says “South Dublin County Council also offers a range of supports to businesses at a local level including supporting businesses by not increasing commercial rates in recent years and continuing the recent trend of freezing commercial rate charges this year. In addition, South Dublin County Council is taking other actions to assist rate payers including and working with businesses to agree flexible payment plans.â€
The full national report and database of activities and outputs by each local authority can be found at http://www.lgma.ie/publications
ENDS
For more information contact olam@lgma.ie 01-6438400