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Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, visited the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Local Enterprise Office today and afterwards met with some of their client companies.
The visit is the latest in a series of similar nationwide visits by Minister English who is keen to meet the Local Enterprise Office teams and engage with them and their clients.
At Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the Minister was greeted by Cathaoirleach, Councillor Lettie McCarthy, Chief Executive, Tom McHugh, Director of Economics and Finance, Helena Cunningham and Head of Enterprise, Owen Laverty, Jennifer Carroll MacNeil TD and Senator Barry Ward.
The group discussed enterprise developments in the area with the Local Enterprise Office team, members of the Evaluation Committee, Local Authority Members and members of the Tourism team.
Minister English said:
"It is great to be here today and to hear at first hand of all the progressive developments that are happening in the area. Our Local Enterprise Offices have wonderfully productive and constructive relationships with businesses and local authorities and other key stakeholders. That is clearly evidenced here in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown where this close collaboration is having a hugely powerful and positive impact in the area."
The Minister then called to the Media Cube, a start-up innovation centre based on the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) campus in Dun Laoghaire where he met with Director of Research, Development and Innovation, Emma Leahy and Enterprise and Development Manager, Rachel Gallagher.
The Media Cube has recently announced a five-year partnership to deliver the New Frontiers programme in Dublin and North Wicklow. The programme is a national entrepreneur development programme for early-stage start ups and aims to accelerate the development of sustainable early stage businesses that have strong employment and growth potential.
At the Cube, Minister English was introduced to Criona Turley, CEO of Capella Workstation Solutions, a start-up that provides practical tools to help companies manage their hybrid workforce. Capella are expert partners in hybrid working as companies try to manage flexibility of location for their workforce into the future. Their product suite maximises collaboration and productivity, streamlines day to day office logistics and supports staff in multiple locations.
The Minister then met with Russell Walsh of VivaGreen, a world leader in the research and development of biodegradable, chemical and plastic-free materials. The company was set up by Russell and his brother, Garrett and their products include chemical free moss killer, biodegradable landscaping stakes and compostable bags. VivaGreen recently launched their Tru-Eco household cleaning products which can be bought from their innovative refill stations in selected stores around the country.
In his final engagement of the day, Minister English was joined by Minister Josepha Madigan TD and met with the board of Sandyford Business District. The board seek to attract and retain businesses in an area that is home to more than 1,000 businesses and 27,000 employees. The Local Enterprise Office engages with the Sandyford group on many fronts, including providing a voice in the Council, working in partnership to roll out programmes and supporting other important local initiatives.
On the conclusion of his visit Minister English said:
"I am really impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit here in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown. It is great to see innovative Irish businesses tackling issues like sustainability and hybrid working and providing real solutions to real problems. In addition, places like the Media Hub and programmes like New Frontiers not only offer support to budding start ups but they give them the opportunity to develop here and grow to their true potential and this will ultimately deliver great returns for our economy."