‘Square’ plan leads jobs boost for Dublin

PLANNING permission granted for a major expansion of the Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght could lead to hundreds of new jobs for the area.

And in another significant jobs boost for the Southside it has emerged that the US company Airbnb is doubling its European headquarters in Dublin by hiring 100 more people.

Plans for the Square will see it increase in size by half with the redesign also including a new plaza between the Luas terminus and the Civic Theatre.

Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe said it was great news for Tallaght and the local area

“I welcome the granting of planning permission for this development by South Dublin County Council,

? Deputy Crowe said.

“Dublin South West has the highest level of youth unemployment in the State with nearly 2,700 under 25s on the live register.

“This development should enable growth, help maintain existing retail jobs in the Square and provide some welcome opportunity for construction sector employment.

?

He added: “This development has positive potential written all over it and ticks all of the important boxes for Tallaght and its environs.

“I look forward to the detail emerging surrounding this planning application and hope to meet with the developers in the very near future to discuss this matter.”

Deputy Eamonn Maloney (Lab) said the e44 million extension would require 200 construction jobs and 400 full time retail jobs.

“I have contacted NAMA regarding the provision of a quota of the jobs to be allocated to local workers,

? Deputy Maloney said.

“When taken with the proposed Urgent Care Unit for the hospital, the academic primary health centre and the suggested film studio, these developments will truly transform the Tallaght Town Centre.

“These projects, which involve both public and private funding, will generate a major increase in employment, provide a financial boost to the economy in Tallaght and South Dublin County and are very welcome.

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Meanwhile, Fine Gael Dublin Senator Catherine Noone said the announcement by Airbnb that it is expanding its presence in the capital was further proof that the Dublin Docklands had developed

“a superb international reputation for being an ideal location for high growth and tech firms

?.

“It is fantastic news that Airbnb is doubling its European headquarters in Dublin,

? Senator Noone said.

“I was particularly pleased to hear the company’s chief executive, Brian Chesky, say that they came to Dublin in the first place because

‘it has hospitality in its DNA’.

?

With listings in more than 34,000 cities, the company offers a service that lets users rent out a couch, bedroom or house worldwide and charges a fee for each transaction.

Senator Noone said Airbnb was following in the footsteps of many other high growth multinational firms that have expanded operations in Dublin including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

“Dublin is now firmly established as being one of the premier tech hubs in Europe, which is delivering huge results for the city in terms of job creation,

? she added.