Launch of the Review of the Integrated Strategy for the Economic, Social and Cultural Development of South Dublin County 2002-2012 and Key Priorities 2006-2008
Mayor Ridge, Chairman, Councillors, ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted and honoured to be asked along to formally launch the County Strategy Review and Implementation Plan 2006-2008
As you know, South Dublin County development Board was established in 2000 as part of the Local Government reform process, to facilitate the development of a broad strategy for South Dublin County. The Board’s strategy reflects the view not only of the local authority, South Dublin County Council, but also of local Development Agencies, such as the County Enterprise Board, State Agencies and the four pillars of Social Partnership. The aim of the County Development Board (CDB) is to promote an integrated and co-ordinated approach to the development needs of South Dublin County.
As part of South Dublin County forms part of my own electoral base, I am acutely aware of how the landscape of the County has begun to change and take shape in recent times. Indeed, looking across the skyline to Tallaght Town, one can only be positively struck by the number of cranes busily engaged in the business of constructing new homes, new workplaces and new places of leisure and amenity.
South Dublin County appears to be oozing with self-confidence. That self-confidence is reflected in its architecture, its modern modes of transport and its steadily growing artistic and cultural diversity. Obviously, challenges remain. But South Dublin County looks well-placed to rise to these challenges, and we, at government level, will do our utmost to assist you in all that you do for the county.
The challenge facing the County Development Board is, therefore, significant and this Review sees the CDB essentially pausing and reflecting on its own ten year strategy as outlined originally in the CDB’s “A Place for People” covering the period 2002-2012. No strategy can afford to be stagnant. And South Dublin County is very obviously a fast-moving, dynamic and energetic county. Obviously there are areas of significant need within the county and these too are addressed within the review.
As Minister with responsibility for eGovernment there is no doubt in my mind that technology has a significant role to play in tackling exclusion, in improving people’s quality of life, in improving economic performance generally, and in promoting greater social engagement and participation.
We must ensure that the knowledge society includes all of our citizens – from Galway Bay to Ireland’s Eye! - and we need to focus on ensuring that all of society has the opportunity to participate and share the benefits of our knowledge society.
The Government is committed to ensure that late adopters of technology are given the opportunity to participate in the Information Society, and last year we committed significant funding to eInclusion projects and 48 projects were funded under this eInclusion Fund, and these projects were primarily targeted at older people and people with disabilities. This year the fund to further this work is €1.5m.
Technology can help overcome barriers but it can also be a barrier in itself. We need to ensure that technology is designed in a way that all can use and benefit from it.
The Mobhaile project, of which South Dublin is one of the pilots, is an excellent example of how technology can be used in the community and for the benefit of the community. It provides citizens with relevant and useful information about their locality and gives local community groups the opportunity to get on-line.
Fundamentally, eGovernment is about using technology to make it easier for citizens to use public services, and in doing so, Government needs to be innovative in how it uses technology itself. Information and Communications Technologies are important in making it easier for people to make contact with Government.
In 2002, the County Devlopment Board set out a vision for the county in “A Place for People”. This review being launched today, represents an audit of progress in making that vision a reality. Huge progress has evidently been made across a range of areas that are simply too numerous to mention.
I wish to commend, on behalf of the government, all those who have committed themselves tirelessly to the fulfilment and achievement of the original vision, and who have helped to sustain a fresh vision for the future needs of the county. Your efforts help to shape a new county, to develop its most natural resource in its people, and to ensure that challenges are embraced as opportunities.
Thank you