I am very conscious of the anxiety among employees that the announcement to close the Abberley Court Hotel in Tallaght has created. All staff affected by the announcement may contact the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) either individually or collectively, to discuss their employment rights, including matters related to redundancy. The Workplace Relations Customer Service Section can be contacted at Lo-call: 1890 80 80 90.
If my Department becomes aware of a potential company closure in advance, or if the business at risk is a client of one of my Department’s enterprise development agencies, the Department or agency will do everything within their power to assist that business. However, it is not always possible to prevent closures or job losses.
For those employees thinking of starting up their own businesses, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for assisting start-ups, business development and job creation in each local area. The LEOs can provide advice and direction, covering all government supports and requirements, to anyone who wishes to start or expand a business. The LEOs can also provide funding for projects that meet certain criteria, in certain circumstances, and other non-financial supports including training and mentoring. Further information is available from the Local Enterprise Office South Dublin, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Phone: 01-414 9000, Email: info@leo.sdublincoco.ie, website: www.localenterprise.ie/southdublin.
I would urge anyone who was made redundant or who is in danger of losing their job, and who may be thinking of setting up their own business, to make contact with their local LEO to explore available options in relation to entrepreneurship. Further information can be found on the LEO website at www.localenterprise.ie.
In terms of new initiatives for job creation, Enterprise Ireland activity is focussed on the creation of new jobs through continuing to work with established companies in its portfolio including those based in Tallaght and other South Dublin areas. The agency is also supporting entrepreneurs in manufacturing and internationally traded services companies who are setting up high potential start-up companies with the potential for new job creation.
In addition to marketing Tallaght for new investment, IDA Ireland also works with its existing client companies in Tallaght and South Dublin with a view to encouraging them to grow and embed their business in Dublin. In this regard, Dublin is recognised as one of Europe’s leading business locations and is well positioned as a “knowledge” city which competes successfully on the global stage.
Earlier this year, the Government announced details of the Action Plan for Jobs: Regional initiative which will seek to maximise the strengths and assets of each region to support enterprise growth and job creation. In launching the Action Plan for Jobs: Regional initiative, I also announced that new funding of up to €250 million will be made available over the next five years to support job creation through enterprise growth in the regions. This includes €150 million for an IDA property investment programme to attract foreign direct investment, and €100 million to Enterprise Ireland to support indigenous enterprises to start up, grow and export. We are also continuing to support the tourism sector with retention of the 9% VAT rate.
I believe that the measures outlined in the Action Plan for Jobs together with other policies being pursued by the State agencies and the Local Enterprise Offices in Tallaght will continue to support an integrated approach to enterprise development and job creation in Tallaght and across South Dublin.
