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Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, visited the South Dublin Local Enterprise Office (LEO) today as part of a series of visits by the Minister, who is keen to engage with the LEO teams and their client companies throughout the country.
The Minister was greeted at County Hall, Tallaght by the Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Peter Kavanagh; Chief Executive, Daniel McLoughlin and other senior officials including members of the Evaluation and Approvals Committee, Strategic Policy Committee, Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development (EETD), and Peter Byrne of South Dublin Chamber.
Minister English was given presentations on the latest developments in the South Dublin region and proceedings concluded with the launch of the LEO South Dublin Enterprise Development Plan 2021-2024 by the Minister, who said:
"There are some hugely positive developments going on here in the South Dublin area. In large urban areas close collaboration and co-operation are vital in order to maximise resources and ensure the best possible outcomes for the local economy. It is very evident that is happening here. The Local Enterprise Office plays a key role in this and the support they give businesses whether it is with upskilling, mentoring, training or in other practical ways has proved invaluable over the last 19 months. That role will be even more important now that we are in the recovery phase and businesses continue to stabilise and grow."
Minister English was accompanied by LEO Head of Enterprise, Tom Rooney, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, Justin Mulhern and Business Advisor, Peter Conolly, as they met with a number of Local Enterprise Office client companies during the day, including:
Minister English’s final engagement was a visit to The Edge Enterprise Centre where he was given a tour of the facility and an update on the latest and future developments by the Social and Local Enterprise Alliance. The Alliance is a collaboration of the South Dublin County Council and LEO, South Dublin Chamber and Partas and was established to deliver a new collaborative approach to start-up incubation in the area. The Edge project received funding of almost €1.4 million from the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) and Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme (RETS) and provides an ideal location for entrepreneurs and startups looking for a professional, supportive and friendly environment to develop their businesses.
On conclusion of his engagements Minister English said:
"I have really enjoyed engaging with so many local companies today and seeing the hugely diverse range of business they are involved in. There is a real sense of energy and positivity and I am delighted that the government can assist many of them through a range of supports and funding. The Edge too is a wonderful facility and I am delighted that my department recognised its huge potential when providing funding of nearly €1.4m to what is an excellent project.
"The pandemic has underlined the importance of flexibility in terms of workspaces and how we work. Not only will The Edge meet the demand for office space and hot desks and provide training and event hire facilities, but it will also become the home of innovation. I have no doubt that The Edge will nurture a community of entrepreneurs and start-ups that will have a massive impact on South Dublin and much further afield."