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Jobs bonanza for the Southside

Wednesday, 11 November 2009

A major e250 million regeneration programme for the Square in Tallaght could create 4,000 new retail jobs and more than 2,000 construction jobs, the owners of the shopping centre have claimed. The regeneration of the Square, which was opened 20 years ago by Taoiseach Charles Haughey, would increase its size to almost 25,000 sq metres, making it the largest shopping centre in Ireland. The development would also generate some 2,000 building jobs in what will be the single biggest private construction project in Ireland Over 4,000 retail jobs would also be created in addition to the 4,500 people already employed at the Square. The scheme would include the opening of the largest Penneys store in Ireland and the development of new state-of-the-art multiplex cinemas, as well as new domestic and international retail outlets and greatly expanded facilities for current retailers. In addition, the regeneration programme would see the provision of a range of other commercial, residential, social, leisure and educational training facilities. Although he did not indicate when the scheme would commence, the director of the Square, Eamonn Furlong, said last week that the project would be the most exciting one to take place in Tallaght for a generation. Catalyst “When the Square opened in 1990 it was the catalyst for all of the great modern developments that have happened in the area, from the hospital and Institute of Technology to the new Shamrock Rovers stadium,” he said. “It is the true Town Centre for Tallaght and the regeneration will lead to a host of new amenities for the community, as well as better value and choice for local shoppers.” Penneys chairman Arthur Ryan said the new store on the site would be the flagship for the retail outlet. “The regeneration programme is timely, extremely exciting and we look forward to its success,” he said. “We are now in a position to make sure this happens. We have the planning permission, we have the necessary commitments and we know the regeneration can proceed.” “We are ready to create 4,000 long term jobs and 2,000 construction jobs very quickly and are therefore in a rather unique place in terms of the economy.” The Square first opened its doors on October 23, 1990. It now contains more than 170 shops, restaurants and other facilities including a large multiplex cinema. Over 15 million people visit the Square every year. Meanwhile, a four day celebration marked the opening of a new Lidl supermarket in Dundrum that has created a further 25 jobs this week. Ireland’s cheapest supermarket, according to the National Consumer Agency, already employs approximately 2,500 people in the Republic of Ireland between several stores, their head office and three regional distribution centres. Construction is underway on a number of other stores that are expected to open in the near future. The supermarket giant has also developed an internationally recognised Retail Management Degree Programme with Dublin Business School to add to its workforce in Ireland. Created There was more good news on the jobs front for the Southside last week with the announcement that another 60 jobs have been created by a Rathfarnham based company’s e1.27 million expansion plan. The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan revealed that information security consultancy and services company Sysnet was expanding its Dublin base to meet opportunities in emerging markets in the Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East and Africa.