The Newspaper with the
BIGGEST circulation in the North County
Your Quality Local Newspaper We Deliver We deliver
A registered newspaper at the G.P.O.
5th April 2016 • Volume 23, Issue 11 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. EirCode: K67 P5W4. • Tel: 01 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie • www.northcountyleader.ie
Building Boom In Balbriggan
which will take the pressure off existing schools. It’s also good to see we’re getting the necessary infrastructure to support the population that has come to the town in recent times,” he said. “Other businesses in the area have done great work in improving their premises in recent times, so there’s a lot going on in retail sector the town,” he Chief Executive of Fingal County Council Paul Reid and Head of Fingal Local Enterprise said. Office Oisin Geoghegan On the education front, the future is very bright, where there’s a number of schools in the process of being built. In recent times, Loreto Secondary School, the largest girls’ The Local Enterprise Office has announced the creation of forty-four school in the country with new jobs in the North County by start-ups and growing small 1200 students, has enjoyed unprecedented businesses recently approved for grant assistance. success under the excelThe one thing that encapsulated the Celtic Tiger lent management of principal, Eddie Fynes and his During the first quarter of this year some 14 era and a booming economy, was the sight of team. They recently won the Young Scientist of the applicants were approved for funding totalling construction cranes on the skylines over our Year award, as well as other kudos. This has brought €225,500. As a direct result of this funding, great prestige to Balbriggan. Other schools in the twenty new jobs will be created immediately towns and cities. If this is anything to go by, then area to stand out include Ardgillan College, with its with a further twenty-four jobs expected Balbriggan’s economic outlook would appear to new extension and Balbriggan Community College, within the next twelve months. be in excellent health. Of the fourteen enterprises approved for a with the development of the new sports hall there. By Patrick Finnegan On the western end of the portion of the €225,500 investment, ten are town, there is a new start-up businesses while four are small At present, cranes dominate the skies over the town Part of Stephenstown major secondary growing businesses creating further employand the County Leader spoke to Sean Corrigan CEO of Industrial Estate, Balbriggan gaelscoil, Scoil Glor na ment. Grant amounts varied between €5,000 Balbriggan Chamber of Mara being built, as well and €38,000. Commerce, who was very as other schools on the Speaking at the announcement of the new optimistic about economic Naul Road. Other projects jobs, Oisin Geoghegan Head of Enterprise in progress in the town. He include the new road Fingal County Council commented that the said, “In the town centre, which will make access to businesses approved for funding are well the primary care centre is and from Castlemills poised to grow and create further employment well underway with an Shopping Centre much over the coming three years” expected opening date in easier for residents, busi- “With every new business there is an element the autumn. A number of Progress on the new Primary Care centre on Dublin Street nesses and shoppers the local medical pracof risk involved. However all of the businesses in Balbriggan alike, is another welcome and start-ups approved for funding have tices have signed up both organisations dedi- development. There has also been a reinvestment at demonstrated strong potential to succeed and already, including a pharConstruction of the link road from Naul Road to cated to the youth of the Millfield Shopping Centre, with a number of shops macy which will be Castlemills Shopping Centre. continue to grow. Importantly we have ready to open there. area,” he said. located there, so it’s all assessed these businesses as holding real systems go, which everyone in the town is looking Local councillor, Tony Murphy (NP) was also upbeat Councillor Gráinne Maguire (NP) was also delighted potential to exploit opportunities in overseas about the new developments in the town. He said, “It with the prospects for the town, particularly markets for their growth.” forward to,” he said. “This will bring great vibrancy to this end of the town, is very heartening to see the cranes back over the the potential of Bremore Castle. She told the The fourteen new companies are geographias well as employment opportunities. A number of skyline in Balbriggan, which is a sure sign that the County Leader, “I have watched the development of cally spread across Fingal and cover a wide Bremore Castle the retail premises on Dublin Street are in the process economy is lifting,” he said. range of industry sectors as follows: of being redeveloped, with EMG Property Consultants “It’s good to see new schools coming on stream, Continued on page 4 Balbriggan: Manufacturing; Blanchardstown: recently moving to their new location there. Other Food processing (x2), Healthcare; buildings, including the former AIB building on St Manufacturing; Castleknock: Energy conservaGeorge’s Square, owned by David Sweetman from tion; Swords: Jewellery manufacturing; the Art Office, has been let out to Foróige and Jigsaw, Engineering; Malahide: Healthcare; Software; Portmarnock: Food processing; Baldoyle: Food processing; Finglas: Tourism; Lusk: Engineering. Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, Paul alth, e g H in th Reid, welcomed the latest jobs announcery All Your Eve r The New Sea auty & e B ment: “In the two years since the Local Open so Fo n re Fa ca m sh in G arden ion Sk Enterprise Office was established in Fingal, it 7am-11p BBQ Accesso & ries Needs has approved grant assistance totalling almost €1.5M to 73 small and start-up businesses. Work is underway at one of the new Gaelscoil, Scoil Glor Continued on page 4
TESCO
na Mara on Naul Road in Balbriggan
Local Enterprise Office Boosting Economic Growth