It was my honour to be here last May to officially open the N2 Motorway from North Ashbourne to the M50. I am delighted to be back here today to meet with you and to see for myself the major progress that has been made in so many areas.
Just over 20km away from Dublin Airport, Ashbourne has undoubtedly prospered as a direct result of its proximity to Dublin and key transport links. It has undergone a rapid transformation in recent years. From its beginnings as a relatively small market town, it has become a thriving commuter belt of Dublin.
It is great to see that the N2 has already realised real benefits for Ashbourne in terms of development and jobs along the route. Particularly welcome is the development by Saltan Properties of the new €42 million Ashbourne Business Centre just off the new by-pass on the Ballybin Road.
Almost two thirds of the 300,000 square feet that the scheme will offer is either sold or sale agreed. This current take-up is set to provide 250 jobs. On completion of the Business Centre there is a potential for 400 jobs in over forty quality enterprise/industrial units.
Ashbourne Business Park will see the creation of 60 – 80 additional jobs as Primeline extends their warehouse facilities bringing the number of jobs up to 180 in total. And a further 10 jobs will come on stream when Gerry Murray Products moves to larger premises in the Business Park making employment for 35 people in all in the company.
The first retail park opening in Ireland in 2007 is scheduled next month at Ashbourne Retail Park and Argos are the latest tenant to agree terms at the scheme. The scheme will be anchored by 4Home Superstores. Furniture Depot and Lightworks are two of the other tenants.
A second phase of the development is now at design stage and is set to provide restaurants and a six screen muliplex cinema - terms have been agreed with a cinema operator and the developers, Equity Properties.
The Marriott Ashbourne Hotel due to open in March at Rath Cross will create a further 70 jobs. All of these developments will contribute to the sustainable and balanced development of Ashbourne as a whole.
In the last couple of years, the town itself has seen the development of a new street by Naus Investments with several retail outlets and supermarkets. 250 jobs have been created with a further 100 to be provided by the time the development is completed. In fact, I can see why the Ashbourne Business Initiative, which was set up by my colleague, Minister Mary Wallace was encouraging people not to leave the town to do their Christmas shopping. Everything that you could need is right here. And the availability of 2,500 free car parking spaces is a major bonus.
It is also good news that the Ashbourne Business Initiative is joining forces with a re-juvenated Ashbourne Chamber of Commerce to give further support to business in this area.
Of course, many new people have moved here to live and work, with the last census showing a population growth in Meath East of over 23% - among the highest rates of growth in the country. More and more people will be availing of the new jobs that are coming on stream here, and those that have to commute to jobs in Dublin, are also feeling the benefit of the N2 motorway from Ashbourne to Finglas in terms of reduced journey times.
I have no doubt that that the construction of the M3 motorway will have a similar positive impact on places such as Dunshaughlin and Dunboyne along the route. Ratoath should also see major benefits from the new road which will see it conveniently placed midway between it and the N2. I understand that the NRA will be awarding the PPP contract for the M3 in the coming weeks with a target construction commencement in late March.
The growth that has been seen here in Ashbourne has been mirrored at a national level and we have seen unprecedented development over the past decade and more. But it is clear that for all of us, success brings with it new challenges and opportunities. Having said that, this very success provides us with the wherewithal to meet these new challenges and opportunities. It is vital that we make proper use of our resources in order to do this.
It is now just one week since I launched the National Development Plan for 2007 to 2013 - a plan involving an investment €184 billion which is unprecedented. Over the coming months, and hopefully years, I look forward to working closely with my colleague - and local Minister - Mary Wallace to ensure that this ambitious blueprint further transforms Ashbourne as a place to live and to do business.
This new National Development Plan will see a new deployment of resources in supporting the productive capacity of our enterprise sector, equipping it to compete effectively in an increasingly knowledge-intensive and interconnected global economy. We are reinforcing the emphasis on skills and training to ensure adaptability to the accelerated change we face.
We will also be investing hugely in our social infrastructure with more than €33.6 billion earmarked across a range of areas. These include housing; hospitals; primary care facilities, particularly for our older people; sports and cultural facilities; and the Gardaí.
In addition, to tackle social exclusion, over €50 billion will be invested in childcare, education, services for people with a disability, home and community healthcare, integration of newcomers to Ireland and community development.
Another key aspect of the NDP is its aim to promote the development of all regions in Ireland. Central to this is the National Spatial Strategy concept of Gateways and Hubs and their potential as dynamic, growing centres of economic activity in their own right, as well as drivers of broader economic and social development in surrounding areas.
The investment framework and strategy of this Plan will assist and enhance physical and spatial planning. As well as ensuring more balanced development and growth throughout the regions, the NDP will invest in achieving a more efficient Greater Dublin Area.
The Dublin Gateway will be the focus of significant investment under the Plan to ensure that it can improve its position as Ireland’s international gateway. Key to this will be completion of Metro North to the Airport and Swords; major investment in suburban rail, including a rail link from Dublin to Dunboyne and on to Navan; completion of the M50 upgrade and enhancement of the capacity of Dublin Airport.
Meath and Ashbourne are in an ideal position to benefit from this continued investment and development. The Ashbourne area has grown considerably and its needs have changed in recent years. In order to meet the needs of the young people of the area, a total of €830,000 in lottery funding was allocated to Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA club, Ashbourne Rugby Club and Ashbourne Community School to provide a new sports hall from last year’s sports capital programme. I am also aware of the wonderful new facilities in the wider area including a new theatre for Rathoath. It will also to benefit from a new post primary school which will include an 800 sq metre sports hall. There are also the new playgrounds throughout the area and a place for skateboarding for teenagers beside the children’s playground in Dunboyne.
This Government has worked hard and made the necessary investments to meet these needs. We can look forward to building on these achievements and to continued success, both here in Ashbourne and at a national level.
Thank you for your attention.
ENDS.