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JOB CREATION INITIATIVES FOR COUNTY MEATH COUNCILLOR NICK KILLIAN’S ACTION PLAN

Introduction :

The total number employed in Ireland in 2010 was 1,851,000 and is expected to decline marginally this year by 19,000 to 1,832,000 and then to grow from next year on . [ Central Bank Jan 2011]. Consumer spending is expected to fall again this year by over 2% in real terms as Budgetary measures cut into incomes and consumers remain cautious.

Potential for business expansion and job growth: So long as consumer spending, investment and Government spending are not increasing, there is little buoyancy in the domestic Irish economy. The one positive feature is the export of goods and services. The Fianna Fail manifesto has a section A Plan for Jobs (Pages 14-24) which provides a good background.

Opportunity areas:

1. Tourism Every additional tourist from abroad who stays in Meath spends money in the local economy and this foreign revenue is equivalent to export earnings. - The industry providers – hotels, B&Bs, entertainment etc – can put attractive “ packages “ together - The industry can join with neighbouring counties such as Louth to promote major attractions which cross county boundaries . The Boyne Valley circuit is a major national attraction. - Increasingly tourists access information and reservations on the internet so a top class website for Meath.

2. Small and Medium Business Even in the midst of the recession, there is a strong growth in SME start ups and developments as evidenced by the applications to the High Potential Start up unit of Enterprise Ireland. The SMEs with the best prospects are those which have the ability to sell their goods and services abroad and are not solely dependant on the depressed Irish market. An innovative package of measures can boost SMEs in Meath: a) Meath should fight to ensure that the County Enterprise Team have sufficient funds to approve Feasibility studies and other grants as these are often the first source of funding for start –ups; b) Meath should have in each population centre in the county a modern Incubation & Enterprise Centre to facilitate local business start ups and expansion. They should specifically support office and IT start ups with office space from 400 sq ft upwards available on flexible licence terms and with high quality broadband access; c) Meath should develop links between the Meath Enterprise Centres and the innovation centres in the nearest 3rd level colleges : DCU, Blanchardstown IT and Dundalk IT Regional Management Centre. These links will encourage innovation and avoid isolation of entrepreneurs in local Enterprise Centres; d) A special focus of Meath enterprise development will be on those skilled residents and entrepreneurs who now commute to Dublin every day. With a range of attractive Enterprise Centres in Meath, they will be encouraged to develop their business or start –ups in County Meath. e) Another focus will be improving access to sources of finance : - the regional managers in the main banks who are responsible for Meath will be approached to ensure that commitments to Government to support SMEs are working in Meath ; - the Credit Unions in Meath will be approached to discuss the scope for funding SMEs through a special fund as developed by Dundrum, Dublin Credit Union : - links will be developed with the First Step organisation which provides up to €25,000 funds for micro business to ensure that Meath start ups can access the funds .

3. Agri Business Output, exports and jobs are all projected to increase in Agri Business as set out in Harvest 2020 for the period to 2020. An example of what can be achieved is Lir Chocolates which was co- founded in the last recession in 1986 by Senator Mary White. It is based in Navan, employs up to 250 people and has sales of €16m mostly in exports

WE will ensure that Teagasc, the County Enterprise Board, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia are accessible to Meath entrepreneurs .

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Nick Killian.

Member of Meath County Council. (February 2011)