Interview: Daniel McLoughlin, Chief Executive, South Dublin County Council

How is SDCC preparing to accommodate future FDI? 

SDCC is home to Grange Castle Business Park, the largest wholly owned local authority FDI site in Ireland. It has become the location of choice for world-class multinationals such as Pfizer, Microsoft, Amazon and Google. It is a world class facility with investments of over 5 billion euro and has a significant pipeline of ongoing investments. For investors considering Ireland, Grange Castle Business Park is a natural first visit, especially as all services imaginable are already on site, including broadband, energy and water services. 

Grange Castle Business Park is conveniently located six miles from the city center and lies on various arterial transport routes of the national road, bus, and cycle-ways network, which are adjacent to the park. It is a mere 25-minute drive from Dublin Airport and in close proximity to seven third level institutes. 

SDCC has a proven 20-year track record in the planning, development and management of the park, streamlining the process for new investors. Grange Castle Business Park holds the largest land area for accommodating substantial new businesses, and we are developing an additional five hundred acres, including the tendering of all related infrastructure, with a view to being ready to accommodate new business and FDI later this year. 

How is SDCC mitigating the supply pinches of downtown Dublin? 

The county has a crucial function in accommodating the urban growth of Dublin. The supply and pricing concerns are not as severe as downtown, and SDCC has land zoned to accommodate another 42,000 homes in preparation for future demand. SDCC has five main growth areas planned for urban development of residential units and two have been given a fast-track strategic development zone (SDZ) planning status. 

The county is home to the youngest workforce in Ireland and has a pro-business environment. South Dublin is therefore full of youthful energy, innovation, and opportunity; and has significant growth plans to ensure it provides for an excellent quality of life for current and future residents. 

What benefits does South Dublin life provide residents? 

South Dublin is a visually appealing place to live and offers its residents modern convenience, excellent amenities, high-quality landscaping and state of the art technological innovation to solve Dublin’s current lifestyle challenges. It offers all of the `edge of city` benefits, starting with strong connectivity to the city center and the environmental wellbeing of the countryside. SDCC is in the process of a 50 million euro investment program for a cluster of additional attractions across the county. 

South Dublin is home to vast green areas including the Grange Castle Golf Club, The Grand Canal Green Route, and a series of regional parks. The Grand Canal Green Route is a walkable and cycle-able path network that stretches from South Dublin into the city center, and allows cyclists in some areas to reach the city center in approximately 15 minutes. South Dublin residents can embrace the countryside by hiking the Dublin Mountains and running along the canal, all while being close to the bright lights of Dublin city center. 

How is SDCC balancing rapid growth with sustainability? 

SDCC has been awarded four million euro by the Climate Action Fund to develop Ireland’s first district heating system. We have permitted Amazon to establish a substantial data center, which will process waste heat and convert it into hot water to be utilized by the district to heat nearby buildings. It is an excellent example of global innovation within South Dublin County, which will directly benefit the local community while aiding Ireland to reach its sustainable energy targets.

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