‘We now have a positive future to build on our current success’
INTENSIFYING economic and demographic pressures facing South Dublin County, will need to be aligned with national, regional and local policy more closely, to ensure a healthy balance of growth, according to a new report by South Dublin Chamber.
Commissioned by South Dublin Chamber, ‘Building on Success’, is both a follow on from the Chamber’s 2020 report “Ensuring inclusive recovery in the Greater Dublin Region” and also a response to significant developments affecting the national and local economy.
The extensive report cites the challenges facing supply chains, and the impact that Brexit and the pandemic has presented.
It says, Brexit, in particular, has led to “onshoring” by manufacturers and distributors to hedge against serious supply chain disruptions and these trends are happening at a “faster rate than what was anticipated last year”.
In a foreword, Eamonn Egan, President South Dublin Chamber, says the report shares “our views on how best we can continue to grow our local economy and what challenges we see ahead”.
“We are very fortunate that our county has been well managed despite the onslaughts of Brexit and Covid-19. Taking into account the challenges of the past two years this success places us in a position to continue to grow our economy providing employment, investment and increased local taxation.
“The challenges that await us on our path to growth are energy supply and cost, public transport, our road network, land availability in the right places for economic and enterprise and housing. We now have a positive future to build on our current success by addressing the challenges before us. All our work must also be seen through the lens of our commitment to the UN’s Strategic Development Goals.”
The report highlights “significant population growth in the decade to date” and “strong forecasted growth, possibly greater than expected, out to 2028.”
It says rapidly rising inflation, to which both supply chain pressures and higher energy costs, are contributing significantly to this.
In terms of alignment to national and local policies, the Chamber say this needs to address access to key resources such as labour, transport, land and energy, to ensure that no economically, socially or environmentally unsustainable gaps are emerging.
It also calls for an alignment of land supply for enterprise, employment and housing, particularly considering expected population and housing growth in South Dublin County along the N7.
Another policy conclusion is the need for more radial public transport, to connect major population centres in Tallaght Clondalkin and Lucan with more centres of employment, and the provision of clean, affordable local energy sources in line with Programme for Government commitments.
