Future Fingal - Economic Development Strategy
| ID | Description | Provide Update |
|---|---|---|
| Opportunity 1 - Sustainability | ||
| 1.1 Sustainable Fingal | ||
| 1.1.1 | Broaden and promote the Sustainable Fingal Initiative which emphasises sustainability in buildings, transport, energy, circular economy, and waste. | Provide Update |
| 1.1.2 | Engage with Fingal businesses to scope current climate transition status and identify future need. | Provide Update |
| 1.1.3 | Provide clear sign-posting of supports for businesses on the transition to a Net Zero, climate resilient county. | Provide Update |
| 1.1.4 | Support initiatives which inform, facilitate and enable behavioural changes towards more sustainable outcomes. | Provide Update |
| 1.1.5 | To monitor and identify economic forecasts or trends which may impact the local economy and work proactively with relevant Agencies and Stakeholders in the development of just transition planning within the Fingal economy and minimise the impact of the move towards a carbon-neutral economy on businesses and communities. | Provide Update |
| 1.2 Energy | ||
| 1.2.1 | Support the expansion of Fingal’s renewable energy production, specifically relating to solar and offshore wind energy. | Provide Update |
| 1.2.2 | Support initiatives to provide district heating to specific localities in Fingal. | Provide Update |
| 1.2.3 | Facilitate and collaborate on R&D and trials of alternative energies – such as Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and bio-LNG – and investigate the development of supporting infrastructure. | Provide Update |
| Opportunity 2 - Skills | ||
| 2.1 Labour Market Intelligence | ||
| 2.1.1 | Through a skills forum, facilitate links between employers and education providers to ensure skills needs are understood. | Provide Update |
| 2.1.2 | Compile regular skills need forecasts to support pipeline planning. | Provide Update |
| 2.2 Ensure An Appropriate Labour Supply | ||
| 2.2.1 | Explore the development of ‘grow your own’ sector based skills academies that provide training and job opportunities in sectors of highest skills need. | Provide Update |
| 2.2.2 | Deliver employability programmes for economically inactive people. | Provide Update |
| 2.2.3 | Work with education and training providers to facilitate robust qualification conversion courses for new migrants. | Provide Update |
| 2.2.4 | Devise a ‘Get Back to Fingal’ campaign to encourage emigrants home. | Provide Update |
| 2.2.5 | Facilitate careers fairs for local employers and job searchers. | Provide Update |
| 2.3 Skill up for the Future | ||
| 2.3.1 | Digital Upgrade: support the improvement of basic digital literacy. | Provide Update |
| 2.3.2 | Support the development and delivery of up-skilling and re-skilling support for occupations at greatest risk of automation. | Provide Update |
| 2.4 Infrastructure | ||
| 2.4 | Support the development of further education infrastructure in Fingal, including DDLETB’s College of the Future in Swords. | Provide Update |
| Opportunity 3 - Vibrant Places | ||
| 3.1 Vibrant Places | ||
| 3.1.1 | Undertake Town Centre health checks and, through collaboration, implement innovative solutions which boost economic activity. | Provide Update |
| 3.1.2 | Explore the development of Business Improvement Districts. | Provide Update |
| 3.1.3 | Promote town centre vibrancy through grant schemes, animation/events and evening economy initiatives. | Provide Update |
| 3.1.4 | In alignment with the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029, repurpose long-term vacant town centre sites. | Provide Update |
| 3.1.5 | Develop bio and circular economy initiatives in support of rural diversification and the Just Transition. | Provide Update |
| 3.1.6 | Support the development of local supply chains within Fingal and to Dublin City. | Provide Update |
| 3.1.7 | Improve access to services through community transport and smart/digitally enabled towns/villages. | Provide Update |
| Opportunity 4 - Grow and Attract | ||
| 4.1 Support Our Businesses To Thrive | ||
| 4.1.1 | Establish an Economic Forum in Fingal to gain insights on business needs. | Provide Update |
| 4.1.2 | Create a ‘one front door’ solution to sign-post business support. | Provide Update |
| 4.1.3 | Secure funding to deliver support across the key drivers of productivity (e.g. skills, innovation, exports). | Provide Update |
| 4.1.4 | Deliver local supplier/local buyer events to promote localising supply chains. | Provide Update |
| 4.2 Develop Priority Sectors/Clusters | ||
| 4.2.1 | Form industry specific cluster groups (e.g. in agri-food) to develop collaborative networks and sector specific growth plans. | Provide Update |
| 4.2.2 | Adopt an ‘anchor employer’ account management approach in Fingal County Council to ensure critical employers are nurtured. | Provide Update |
| 4.3 Tourism | ||
| 4.3.1 | Support implementation of the Fingal Tourism Strategy 2024 - 2029, and the Fingal Food & Drink Policy 2023 – 2029 (specifically where it relates to Food Tourism). | Provide Update |
| 4.3.2 | Contribute to the creation and implementation of the Fingal Marketing Plan, and support the Tourism Marketing Plan as part of the Fingal Tourism Strategy 2024-2029. | Provide Update |
| 4.3.3 | Develop a programme of events throughout the year and explore feasibility of hosting relevant international events. | Provide Update |
| 4.3.4 | Measure economic outputs and benefits of events/initiatives. | Provide Update |
| 4.3.5 | Collaborate with the tourism sector including statutory and representative bodies and industry. | Provide Update |
| 4.3.6 | Establish a Fingal visitor pass for key sites. | Provide Update |
| 4.3.7 | Develop rural tourism and recreation initiatives to maximise Fingal’s natural resources in a sustainable way. | Provide Update |
| 4.4 Agri-Food | ||
| 4.4.1 | Support implementation of the Fingal Food & Drink Policy 2023 – 2029 (specifically where it relates to Economic Growth and Community Engagement). | Provide Update |
| 4.4.2 | Support business succession planning through expert advice, and potential grant and event support. | Provide Update |
| 4.4.3 | Support rural development programmes focussed on agri-food career pathways. | Provide Update |
| 4.4.4 | Support development of farmers markets and linkages with Fingal towns and villages. | Provide Update |
| Opportunity 5 - Infrastructure | ||
| 5.1 Economic Land | ||
| 5.1.1 | Establish a register of key economic sites in Fingal which is updated regularly. | Provide Update |
| 5.1.2 | In alignment with the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029, conduct an assessment of major undeveloped economic sites in Fingal. | Provide Update |
| 5.1.3 | In alignment with the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029, implement a vacant land activation plan for key economic sites to stimulate development. | Provide Update |
| 5.2 Enterprise Units | ||
| 5.2.1 | Engage with business park management organisations in Fingal to establish relations, address key issues for businesses, and chart available capacity. | Provide Update |
| 5.2.2 | Develop further and enhanced start-up and scale-up spaces for enterprises in Fingal at low cost rates. | Provide Update |
| 5.2.3 | Implement a scheme for major Dublin employers to use Fingal remote working spaces as dedicated satellite offices. | Provide Update |
| 5.3 Housing | ||
| 5.3.1 | Ensure ongoing engagement with key developers and support initiatives to progress planning and housing provision. | Provide Update |
| 5.3.2 | In alignment with the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029, facilitate forward planning and provision of infrastructure and services for housing development at key sites in Fingal through prioritised progression of Local Area Plans, Masterplans and Framework Plans. | Provide Update |
| 5.4 Connectivity | ||
| 5.4.1 | Engage with National Broadband Ireland to ensure high quality broadband is available for businesses in all areas of Fingal. | Provide Update |
| 5.4.2 | Liaise closely with the NTA and government regarding the pressing need for MetroLink’s development. | Provide Update |
| 5.4.3 | In alignment with the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029, prioritise road improvements and active travel/greenway projects in specific locations across the county, and incorporate same into the Council’s Capital Programme and annual operational programme as appropriate. | Provide Update |
| 5.4.4 | Engage with the NTA to promote the development of DART+, and to assess the scope for enhanced BusConnects routes between key areas of the county (Balbriggan, Swords, Airport, Blanchardstown, and rural areas). | Provide Update |
| 5.5 Dublin Airport | ||
| 5.5.1 | Engage with senior Airport personnel on a regular basis for updates and collaboration on economic and sustainability projects. | Provide Update |
| Opportunity 6 - International | ||
| 6.1 Brand / Promotion | ||
| 6.1.1 | Implement the Marketing Plan which accompanies this Economic Development Strategy; promoting Fingal’s unique attributes under the brand umbrellas of Ireland and Dublin. | Provide Update |
| 6.2 Trade | ||
| 6.2.1 | Engage with business and sectoral representative bodies to further understand post-Brexit issues and any further trade supports which may be required. | Provide Update |
| 6.2.2 | Collaborate with Enterprise Ireland via Fingal Local Enterprise Office to identify means via which post-Brexit supports can (more effectively) be provided for businesses. | Provide Update |
| 6.2.3 | Fully embrace and participate in the partnership of the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor; driving frequent engagement across Local Authorities | Provide Update |
| 6.2.4 | Collaborate to provide enhanced export readiness supports as required. | Provide Update |
| 6.3 Networks | ||
| 6.3.1 | Fully leverage Fingal County Council’s international connections and skillsets to promote Fingal. | Provide Update |
| 6.3.2 | Maintain strong relations with IDA Ireland, especially regarding key development sites. | Provide Update |
| 6.3.3 | Promote active involvement in EU programmes which provide opportunities for Fingal to promote itself as a prime investment and tourist destination. | Provide Update |
| 6.3.4 | Devise a plan to access EU funding to support this strategy. | Provide Update |
| 6.3.5 | Explore the expansion of Fingal’s network of European and Global connections to build trade links, tourism, and mutual learning. | Provide Update |
| 6.3.6 | Develop an international engagement plan for trade, tourism, and knowledge transfer. | Provide Update |