Future Fingal - Economic Development Strategy

IDDescriptionProvide Update
 Opportunity 1 - Sustainability 
1.1.1Broaden and promote the  Sustainable Fingal Initiative which emphasises sustainability in buildings, transport, energy, circular economy, and waste.Provide Update
1.1.2Engage with Fingal businesses to scope current climate transition status and identify future need.Provide Update
1.1.3Provide clear sign-posting of supports for businesses on the transition to a Net Zero, climate resilient county.Provide Update
1.1.4Support initiatives which inform, facilitate and enable behavioural changes towards more sustainable outcomes.Provide Update
1.1.5Establish a referral system within the SSIG to gauge regular skills needs, utilising the Dublin Regional Skills Forum Skills Audit as a resource to support the identification of skills gaps.Provide Update
1.2.1Support the expansion of Fingal’s renewable energy production, specifically relating to solar and offshore wind energy.Provide Update
1.2.2Support initiatives to provide district heating to specific localities in Fingal.Provide Update
1.2.3Facilitate and collaborate on R&D and trials of alternative energies – such as Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and bioLNG – and investigate the development of supporting infrastructure.Provide Update
 Opportunity 2 - Skills 
2.1.1Through a skills forum, facilitate  links between employers and education providers to ensure skills needs are understood.Provide Update
2.1.2Compile regular skills need forecasts to support pipeline planning.Provide Update
2.2.1Explore the development of  ‘grow your own’ sector based skills academies that provide training and job opportunities in sectors of highest skills need. Provide Update
2.2.2Deliver employability programmes for economically inactive people.Provide Update
2.2.3Work with education and training providers to facilitate robust qualification conversion courses for new migrants.Provide Update
2.2.4Devise a ‘Get Back to Fingal’ campaign to encourage emigrants home.Provide Update
2.2.5Facilitate careers fairs for local employers and job searchers.Provide Update
2.3.1 Digital Upgrade: support the improvement of basic digital literacy.Provide Update
2.3.2Support the development and delivery of up-skilling and re-skilling support for occupations at greatest risk of automation.Provide Update
2.4Support the development of further education infrastructure in Fingal, including DDLETB’s College of the Future in Swords.Provide Update
 Opportunity 3 - Vibrant Places 
3.1.1Undertake Town Centre health checks and, through collaboration, implement innovative solutions which boost economic activity.Provide Update
3.1.2Explore the development of Business Improvement Districts.Provide Update
3.1.3Promote town centre vibrancy through grant schemes, animation/events and evening economy initiatives.Provide Update
3.1.4In alignment with the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029, repurpose long-term vacant town centre sites.Provide Update
3.1.5Develop bio and circular economy initiatives in support of rural diversification and the Just Transition.Provide Update
3.1.6Support the development of local supply chains within Fingal and to Dublin City.Provide Update
3.1.7Improve access to services through community transport and smart/digitally enabled towns/villages.Provide Update
 Opportunity 4 -  Grow and Attract 
4.1.1Establish an Economic Forum in Fingal to gain insights on business needs.Provide Update
4.1.2Create a ‘one front door’ solution to sign-post business support.Provide Update
4.1.3Secure funding to deliver support across the key drivers of productivity (e.g. skills, innovation, exports).Provide Update
4.1.4Deliver local supplier/local buyer events to promote localising supply chains.Provide Update
4.2.1Form industry specific cluster groups (e.g. in agri-food) to develop collaborative networks and sector specific growth plans.Provide Update
4.2.2Adopt an ‘anchor employer’ account management approach in Fingal County Council to ensure critical employers are nurtured.Provide Update
4.3.1Support 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
4.3.2Contribute 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
4.3.3Develop a programme of events throughout the year and explore feasibility of hosting relevant international events.Provide Update
4.3.4Measure economic outputs and benefits of events/initiatives.Provide Update
4.3.5Collaborate with the tourism sector including statutory and representative bodies and industry.Provide Update
4.3.6Establish a Fingal visitor pass for key sites.Provide Update
4.3.7Develop rural tourism and recreation initiatives to maximise Fingal’s natural resources in a sustainable way.Provide Update
4.4.1Support implementation of the Fingal Food & Drink Policy 2023 – 2029 (specifically where it relates to Economic Growth and Community Engagement).Provide Update
4.4.2Support business succession planning through expert advice, and potential grant and event support.Provide Update
4.4.3Support rural development programmes focussed on agri-food career pathways.Provide Update
4.4.4Support development of farmers markets and linkages with Fingal towns and villages.Provide Update
 Opportunity 5 - Infrastructure 
5.1.1Establish a register of key economic sites in Fingal which is updated regularly.Provide Update
5.1.2In alignment with the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029, conduct an assessment of major undeveloped economic sites in Fingal.Provide Update
5.1.3In alignment with the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029, implement a vacant land activation plan for key economic sites to stimulate development.Provide Update
5.2.1Engage with business park management organisations in Fingal to establish relations, address key issues for businesses, and chart available capacity.Provide Update
5.2.2Develop further and enhanced start-up and scale-up spaces for enterprises in Fingal at low cost rates.Provide Update
5.2.3Implement a scheme for major Dublin employers to use Fingal remote working spaces as dedicated satellite offices.Provide Update
5.3.1Ensure ongoing engagement with key developers and support initiatives to progress planning and housing provision. Provide Update
5.3.2In 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
5.4.1Engage with National Broadband Ireland to ensure high quality broadband is available for businesses in all areas of Fingal.Provide Update
5.4.2Liaise closely with the NTA and government regarding the pressing need for MetroLink’s development.Provide Update
5.4.3In 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
5.4.4Engage 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
5.5.1Engage with senior Airport personnel on a regular basis for updates and collaboration on economic and sustainability projects.Provide Update