Agenda and minutes

_{Minutes of the previous meeting, which took place on 14th September 2021, were agreed by Cllr. Cooney and seconded by Evanne Kilmurray.}

_None.

_{None received.}

_{Copy of presentation was provided in advance of the meeting in the ModGov pack}

_{Alan Saunders and Jamie Cudden presented to Members. The Chair thanked the Presenters and opened the floor to questions and answers.}

_{Cllr. Cooney thanked the Presenters and enquired on the progress of the Bicycle Buddy App and enquired on the findings of the research into which areas have the most need for people to have access to WiFi.} 

_{The Presenters replied as follows:}

_{In relation to the Bicycle Buddy App there are over 6000 downloads and active users of the app.  The onset of the Covid Pandemic has shown that connectivity is essential and a Telecoms Unit is being set up in DCC to this end.  Unfortunately, research has shown that areas of deprivation have poor connectivity and Virgin have put infrastructure in 33 key locations across the City to further improve connectivity.} 

_{Evanne Kilmurray thanked the Presenters and commented on how some small organisations have been technically challenged and left behind and spoke about the digital divide that currently exists.} 

_{The Chair commented on how economic recovery was dependent on technology and WiFi connectivity.} 

_{Copy of Progress Report was provided in advance of the meeting in the ModGov pack}

_{Mary MacSweeney presented to Members. The Chair thanked the Presenter and opened the floor to questions and answers.}

_{Aidan Sweeney thanked the Presenter and highlighted the work of the team, including Mary MacSweeney, Jamie Cudden and Tim Graham from Dublin Place Brand.}

_{Copy of Presentation was provided in advance of the meeting in the ModGov pack}

_{Juliet Passmore presented to Members. The Chair thanked the Presenter and opened the floor to questions and answers.}

_{Cllr. Cooney thanked the Presenter and asked if there was the facility for comment in the surveys and what happens next with the survey results?}

_{Cllr. O’Driscoll thanked the Presenter and commented on the two themes which were evident from the survey and the Development Plan consultation process – use of space and greening.  She welcomed the breakdown of age divides.}

_{Aidan Sweeney thanked the Presenter and asked if the respondents are provided with results of survey.  He commented on the respondent figure in relation to the panel figure, 900 respondents v 5000 on panel, and what DCC is doing to increase the panel number and promote YDYV?}

_{The Chair asked for further information on International Relations data commenting on how it was worrying that from the panel only 1% chose International Relations and expanding International Relations as an important goal. However, in slide 19 it would appear that 62% are looking towards that goal and she queried how this squared with statistics provided at beginning of presentation.}

_{The Presenter replied as follows:}

_{The survey allows for comments with are collated and which then feed into the Economic Development Strategy.}

_{The 1% and 62% are in response to two separate questions asked of all respondents relating to Expanding International Relations. Firstly, all respondents were asked to select their top goal out of 7. 1% chose Expanding International Relations. Secondly, all respondents were asked to prioritise areas of work under each goal. 62% selected Managing/Attracting European Funding as their top priority under the Expanding International Relations goal.}

_{Currently the survey has 20% response rate, DCC are continually promoting the survey through social media channels, promotion in Colleges etc.}

_{Mary MacSweeney said this panel was a great resource and updated the Group on next steps of survey results feeding into Economic Development Strategy - look at tender process, appointment of consultants to lead on developing economic strategy for Dublin City, establish workshops and seminars on economic strategy for Dublin City, promotion of  stakeholder involvement, feed into the LECP etc.  It was hoped that work would be finalised by Q1/Q2 2022.}

_{Cllr. Heney enquired as to the makeup of the panel, is it random or targeted, and whether this existing Panel could be used to carry out survey on the Irish Language Quarter in the City and if Economic Development would be open to this idea?}

_{The Presenter replied that the Panel was a very representative panel with regard to age/gender/socio economic status etc., it is the only one in DCC and with regard to using the Panel Cllr Heney should contact Mary MacSweeney directly regarding the matter.  Mary MacSweeney was agreeable to this and agreed to contact Cllr. Heney after the meeting.}

_{Copy of Progress Report was provided in advance of the meeting in the ModGov pack}

_{Evanne Kilmurray presented to Members. The Chair thanked the Presenter and opened the floor to questions and answers.}

_{Lord Mayor Councillor Alison Gilliland thanked the Presenter and conveyed her congratulations to Evanne and ICE team and commended the Social Enterprise Awards and awardees, two of whom she has since met and plans to engage with on exploring future projects for the Mansion House.}

_{Natalie McGuinness thanked the Presenter and commented on how inspirational the Awards were and asked what further assistance private companies could provide?}

_{Cllr. O’Driscoll thanked the Presenter and commented on the positivity of the Awards and how social enterprises are filling gaps in the market. She asked how much money is awarded to each awardee of the Awards.} 

_{Cllr. Ring again thanked the Presenter and reiterated the positive comments of previous Members.}

_{Cllr. Cooney thanked the Presenter and commented on the importance of supporting social enterprises and future possible use of Moore Street for social enterprises to use.}

_{The Presenter replied as follows:}

_{She thanked the Members for all the positive comments and feedback.}

_{It is hoped that organisations would raise awareness and showcase social enterprises and try to promote social enterprises as viable businesses. The current grant scheme for the Social Enterprise Awards is €50,000 - the top award is €15,000 and smaller awards are €5,000 and she made the case for upping the grant scheme from €50,000 to €100,000.  It was agreed that a compilation list of the 38 awardees to date would be drawn up and circulated to SPC Members for onward circulation and promotion.}

_{Copy of Progress Report was provided in advance of the meeting in the ModGov pack.}

_{Anthony Flynn presented to Members. The Chair thanked the Presenter and opened the floor to questions and answers.}

_{Cllr. Freehill thanked the Presenter and commented on positive news of DCC opening up relations with Barcelona and updating contacts with Eurocities.  She expressed concern over the length of time for recruitment and commented on programmes mentioned in the Presenters progress report and queried what programmes are coming up for next tranche of funding.  She also put questions around making contact with Belfast and looking at possible partnerships for co funded projects.}

_{Aidan Sweeney thanked the Presenter and reiterated the concerns of Cllr. Freehill around the length of time for recruitment.  He requested a briefing by email on the OECD project, and advised that since last SPC he has been appointed vice chair of the Business Pillar at OECD.}

_{Cllr. Cooney advised she was not aware of all projects which were included in the progress report and requested if work could be undertaken on the communication and showcasing of such projects to get the message into the public domain.}

_{The Chair commented on 2 points – procedure and personnel.  She advised that the DCC strategy was signed off on the 18th Dec 2020 and commended work done to date to this end.  She congratulated Aidan Sweeney on appointment as Vice Chair and suggested that he present on this at a future SPC.  She also welcomed Ciara O hAodha as interim Head of the European Programme Support Office and thanked the Lord Mayor for her attendance and input into this SPC.}

_{The Presenter replied as follows:}

_{DCC are very optimistic that the Department will look favourably on the business case for recruitment for the office. It is clear that this is critical to the successful establishment of the EPSO.  In the interim, Ciara O hAodha has been transferred to the EPSO as Interim Head of the newly established office with the Steering Committee progressing matters in the interim.  DCC are pushing to progress the departmental approval, but it can take time before the departmental sanction is given.}

_{In relation to potential DCC projects & upcoming funding programmes; it was noted a number of potential projects were submitted for consideration in the development of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, but to date no correspondence has been received from the Department.  DCC will continue to work with the Regional Assemblies with regard to future funding opportunities. The Presenter advised that the team were continuously monitoring avenues for potential funding from EU programmes and also referred members to “Housing for All” – there are significant opportunities within that platform for retrofitting, upgrading of social houses to achieve higher BER ratings and strong opportunities for DCC for potential funding.}

_{The Presenter understood that it was agreed at previous SPC meetings that contacts with Belfast would be dealt with through the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor.}

_{The Presenter agreed details on the OECD  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.}

_{Copy of Management Reports were provided in advance of the meeting in ModGov pack.}

_{The Chair opened to floor to questions and answers.}

_{No questions/comments – noted as circulated.}

_{Next SPC Meeting: 24th January 2022 (3.30pm to 5.30pm)}

_{Council Chamber, City Hall / remote via Zoom (In line with government guidelines operating at this time)}

_{Action items for Progression:}

Next SPC Meeting: 25^th January 2022 (3.30pm – 5.30pm)

Council Chamber, City Hall (In line with government guidelines operating at this time)

_{2022 Meeting Dates – no questions/comments – noted as circulated.}