Council asked to engage with FAS and other agencies to create employment

The number of job losses in recent months is alarming. It is my belief that we should all be doing everything possible to safeguard jobs and to keep people in employment. I recently asked the council to actively engage with the Institute of Technology and FAS to explore the innovation and creation of new employment opportunities in this County.

The Council reports that it actively engages with and will continue to engage with FAS and the Institute of Technology and other key stakeholders to examine and develop innovative methods of job creation within the County.  To date our collaborative approach to inter agency work has been channeled through the Economic Development Working Group of County Development Board.  This group comprises of representatives from the Council, South Dublin chamber of Commerce, Dodder Valley Partnership, CPLN Partnership, FAS, South Dublin County Enterprise Board, Community Platform and the IDA.  This group is mandated through the County Strategy to:-

• Develop an integrated economic strategy for South Dublin County
• Develop an integrated strategy for improving access to and progression within employment for disadvantaged groups
• Adopt an integrated strategy to assist employees of medium- large enterprises undergoing restructuring.

South Dublin Chamber was nominated by the County Development Board as the lead agent for the development of the Economic Strategy.  This strategy was adopted by the County Development Board at its meeting on the 28th of November 2008, following a consultative process undertaken earlier in 2008 and was launched in February 2009.  The strategy identifies seventeen opportunities for the County to further economic progress and activity.  Through pursuit of these opportunities new employment avenues will be opened within County.

Dodder Valley Partnership is the lead agency developing a strategy for improving access to and progression within employment for disadvantaged groups. Work commenced on the strategy in 2008 and will continue in 2009.

The working group produced and published guidance in 2008 to assist employers and employees undergoing restructuring within their current employment.

Further to the CDB working group the Economic Development Department actively engages with its state partners, such as the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to seek and attract new investment into the County.  By working in partnership with the agencies the Council has successfully attracted a number of high profile multi-national companies to the County over the last number of years.  The Council regularly engages with these companies to discuss issues arising and we seek to mitigate any obstacles that they may be encountering to ensure their continued successful operation in the County.

The Council also seeks to support start up indigenous businesses and the small to medium enterprise sector, again in conjunction with our partners, through the provision and support of enterprise centres in the County.  A large number of businesses, circa 101, employing approximately 275 people, are currently located in enterprise centres developed by the Council over the years.  The Council is currently looking at a joint venture with Enterprise Ireland to identify and develop a site that would be suitable for indigenous businesses that are currently located in the enterprise centres but are seeking to expand.  This would allow current businesses to further develop and also afford an opportunity to new start up companies to establish themselves in supported premises.

2009 is the year of Creativity & Innovation and the Council along with other stakeholders, such as the Institute of Technology and FAS, are examining a number of projects that will identify sectors at risk within in the County, risk assess the prominent employment categories and develop interventions and programmes that will help to foster the entrepreneurial spirit of its citizens to encourage new business and job creation within the County.

It is encouraging that the Council is actively engaged with all agencies in a concerted effort to maintain current employment and to seek innovative ways to create new employment prospects.

Paddy congratulates the Ballyboden Team on their success

Paddy congratulates Ballyboden Ladies on their success. See the story below

About Me

Cllr Paddy Cosgrave

My name is Paddy Cosgrave and I am your local councillor in Rathfarnham.  I live in Orchardstown Drive, Dublin 14.  As I live in the area, I am will aware of the problems that people put up with on a daily basis because my family and I also experience the self same difficulties.

Please tune into my blog on a regular basis and let me know if I cna be of assistance to you in any way.  My contact details are on my website.

RATHFARNHAM VILLAGE CLEANING

At a recent session of council I asked the Manager to arrange for a cleanup of Rathfarnham Village, as there is unsightly litter all over the village.

COUNCIL MANAGEMENT REPLY:

The cleaning arrangements in place in Rathfarnham Village are the same as those in place in all the other town/village centres around the county i.e. cleaning takes place on Monday to Friday and on Sunday mornings and Bank Holidays. Arrangements are in place for one Litter Wrden to be on duty every weekend and this covers the entire county and is carried out on roster basis. The Wardens have been instructed to patrol Rathfarnham Village when on duty on Saturdays and to take whatever enforcement measures as are necessary.

The Council is also investigating the possibility of installing a reverse vending machine in the area which could reduce the impact of litter – particularly on Saturdays.  As part of a programme of installing new bins the Council is also looking at locations for the “Big Belly Solar Bin” which has been successfully piloted in Tallaght Town Centre.

The Terenure Rathfarnham area scored as Litter Free in the recent An Taisce Surveys and all steps necessary, in terms of enforcement and cleansing, will be explored to maintain that status

 

Knocklyon United Playing Pitches

I have had discussions with the officers of Knocklyon United FC concerning proposed developments at Killinniny which will impact on the club’s pitches. The voluntary commitment of the trainers and members to the youth of this community must be respected and the playing facilities must be protected.

A number of meetings have taken place with council officials. At the most recent meeting with club officials, it was agreed that the Council would continue to meet with club representatives to progress the matter. Both parties expressed the desire to work together to achieve the best outcome for all concerned.

The officials of the club re-stated their position in relation to the clubhouse and pitches on the lands at Killinniny. The Council restated its position in respect of the Three Year Capital Programme and the briefing held with the Elected Members.

In order to advance the matter, the Council proposed the following temporary arrangement: -

‘A written agreement with Knocklyon FC for a short term, temporary letting for a second pitch on the lands at Killinniny to the end of the current football season.’

The pitch would be set up by means of demountable goal posts to current Irish Standards, supplied by the Council to the club. The club would be responsible for the setting up, taking down and storage of the goalposts..

The agreement would be reviewed in advance of the new football season commencing in August 2009 having regard to progress with the Capital Programme

The club officials responded to the offer and advised that that would have to consult with their members as they did not have the authority to immediately agree these proposals directly with the Council. The club officials agreed to consult with their members at the earliest date possible and respond to the council.

Many residents have raised this matter with me and I will continue to update you on this issue.

SCHOOLS PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

Following several representations from concerned parents, I asked the Manager “to present a safety report on road safety on Ballyboden road at the exit of Ballyroan lodge onto Ballyboden road for school children crossing Ballyboden road?”

COUNCIL MANAGEMENT REPLY:
A meeting was held with the stakeholders (School Principals, Residents Associations, Parents Reps., Gardai.) and Council Officers on 11\128 in Coláiste Éanna concerning the above matters. A number of options proposed by SDCC to address the safety concerns were discussed at length.  A formal written response to the discussions is to be made to SDCC by the stakeholders within the near future–when we receive these responses we will then be in a position to re-examine all the concerns and submit a comprehensive report  on this matter to this committee.
I will continue to pursue this matter until I am sure that the safety concerns of parents have been properly addressed.

Civic Reception for Ballyboden St.Endas GAA Club

Cllr Paddy Cosgrave had great pleasure in hosting the civic reception on Monday evening 9th February at County
Hall Tallaght for Ballyboden St. Endas GAA Club, as Chair of Terenure-Rathfarnham Committee.
The evening was to honour Ballyboden St.Enda’s GAA Club.Their exploits on the field of play and their total
commitment to the youth of the county are well known. The following is just a small list of the phenomenal
successes the club has achieved in recent times.
- Senior Ladies Football Team
- 2007, County & Leinster Champions.
- 2008 County Champions for the 9th Consecutive year, also League winners
- Senior Camogie Team
- County Champions & Leinster Champions 2008
- Senior Hurling Team
- County Champions 2007
- Leinster Finalists 2007