Local jobs plan for Grangegorman development

TWO new plans aimed at creating local jobs during the development of the new DIT campus at Grangegorman were launched at the site earlier this month.

Officials say Joining up the Dots II and the Grangegorman Policy Framework will help identify the best ways to maximise employment opportunities for local communities.

The development, which will bring the existing 39 DIT locations across Dublin together on one site, is on course to have 1,000 students in situ by September.

The project, which was the flagship of a stimulus plan launched by the Government in July 2012, is set to radically change the face of Dublin’s north inner city.

Four main contractors are currently onsite refurbishing seven protected structures that will accommodate the students and a new e26 million phase of the project began at the launch of the new plans on March 3.

Over 2,000 construction jobs will be created at Grangegorman over the next three years and it’s hoped at least 20 per cent will go to locals. So far it’s estimated that around 16 per cent of jobs have gone to residents from the area through a local employment charter.

In total the Grangegorman re-development is expected to deliver in the region of 4,500 construction jobs and a further 1,100 when complete.

Local TD, Paschal Donohoe, said the arrival of 10,000 students to the area over the coming years will be a significant boost for the area.

“It will have a considerable knock-on effect for local shop and business owners and the local domestic economy generally,

? he said.

“There are also plans for an Educate Together school and a primary care centre to be built on site, which will further enhance the area. The north inner city has been overlooked for capital investment for far too long.

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Speaking at the launch of the two new plans, Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin emphasised that although the Grangegorman project is local, it is also a flagship stimulus project that will reach far beyond the Dublin 7 area.

Chair of the Grangegorman Labour and Learning Forum, Brigid McManus, emphasised the importance of the Grangegorman Policy Framework which underpins the work of the forum.

“The increasingly globalized environment in which we live and work, particularly for a small country with an open economy, means it is crucial that we work at all levels to align international, national and local policies so we can get the best for our citizens,

? she said.

“Research such as Joining Up the Dots II is a tremendous resource not just for the Forum’s work but for all public and community groups active in the area as it’s often not easy from national statistics to pull together relevant data as needed.

“I know that already groups have been using the material and have found it of benefit.

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Dublin’s Labour MEP, Emer Costello, said the Grangegorman project would be key to the regeneration of the North Inner City.

“As a former member of the Grangegorman Development Agency, I am delighted that today the sod has finally been turned on a new unified campus at Grangegorman for DIT,

? she continued.

“The new Grangegorman site is a strategic project for Dublin and will provide much needed construction jobs over coming years. The e26 million development, which has begun today will see over 200 construction workers on site. In tandem with jobs, the development will play a pivotal role in the regeneration of the North Inner City.

?

“The overall

?¬230 million cost of the development includes provision of

?¬110 million from the European Investment Bank to construct the Central and East Quad area. As Dublin’s MEP, I will now work to ensure that Grangegorman Development Agency and DIT have full access to all sources of EU funding.

?