ConnectIreland Community Action Programme
The top priority of government is to get Ireland back to work
Creating jobs is the number one goal of this priority
It is a major focus of every Minister
We have never seen more people unemployed
Economic recovery has to be reflected in jobs recovery
ALL LEVELS NEED TO BE INVOLVED IN THE TASK…
OECD 2013 on Ireland’s economic recovery
Action Plan for Jobs 2013 (100,000+ jobs for 2016)
LG: Putting People First
Supporting Economic Recovery and Jobs
COMMUNITIES IN ACTION… HAVE SHOWN THEY CAN PLAY THEIR PART
The Gathering
IPB Pride of Place
Tidy Towns
…causes, sport, facilities…
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THROUGH CONNECTIRELAND
What is ConnectIreland? • Contracted by IDA Ireland to promote, market, and deliver the ‘Succeed in Ireland’ initiative (part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs) • Part of Taxback Group which employs nearly 1000 people and has its headquarters in Kilkenny
The Succeed in Ireland Initiative
BUILDING ON IRELAND’S TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS…
A STRONG FOCUS ON SMEs… • Many of the bigger companies have already chosen Ireland as an operational base • ConnectIreland is pre-dominantly targeting the SME sector and companies which: • Want to access Europe and Rest of World • May want to manufacture high value goods – software, medical devices etc. for global market • May not be aware of the benefits of locating in Ireland or how to go about it
HOW IT WORKS…
1. 70 jobs created in May 2013, when Canadianbased Mafic Inc. launched a new European smelting facility in Kells, Meath. 2. 15 jobs created when Florida-based Flagship Inc. announce their new European operations centre in Galway.
3. 30 jobs created when Canadian-based Intergeo Services launched European HQ in Carlow. 4. 50 jobs created when Michigan-based Magni Group opened their â‚Ź14m European plant in Laois.
Importance of LA to ConnectIreland • LA as leaders of their communities have a powerful role to play • Co-operation with Councils vital to the work of ConnectIreland • Local Authorities can provide support and advice for community involvement
WHAT CAN COMMUNITIES DO? • With the support of the local Council they can use the ConnectIreland Model and gain the rewards for the community • Harness the energy and knowledge of the community • Carry out a structured ‘Diaspora Audit’ of those who may be in a position to invest or to influence investment decisions
WHAT CAN COMMUNITIES DO? • Identify people they know or have a link to (but are not necessarily from) the community, who are in a position to identify companies, people or organisations planning or thinking of extending their businesses to Europe • Register as Community Connectors • Make the introduction to ConnectIreland and let them take it from there • Gain financial benefits of up to €150,000 for their communities if jobs are created through the introduction. • And remember it’s the Connector Community gets the reward no matter where in Ireland the jobs are created!!
RETURNS FOR THE COMMUNITY Keeps families and young people in Ireland Creates new knowledge about the diaspora for future community activities
Provides direct financial reward to the community Unites the community and builds on success of The Gathering
What is needed from you right now? • Set up a small, temporary committee to carry out this project; give it two years from start to finish • Spread the word locally and internationally through existing contacts and relationships that you have • Organise community meetings promoting the initiative and carry out the Diaspora Audit; CI and the Local Authority will assist with that • Make contact with different organisations or individuals overseas who you think can help identify potential investors; they don’t have to be local – or even Irish • Contact your local authority to help roll out the community programme
Thank you for listening