Press Release

Taoiseach launches Blanchardstown Chamber of Commerce Social & Economic Study

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD today launched a Social & Economic Study of the Greater Blanchardstown Area, which was commissioned by the Blanchardstown Chamber of Commerce. The launch took place in Q Centre, Blanchardstown, which was also officially opened by the Taoiseach. The Quinn Group who sponsored the Chamber event owns this landmark building in Blanchardstown.

The research analysis for the study was carried out by DIT Bolton Street, on behalf of the Chamber, and it is the first major economic report commissioned specifically for the Greater Blanchardstown Area. The report was financed by a number of key local stakeholders:  The Blanchardstown Centre, Westpoint Health & Fitness Centre, 3COM, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, Aer Rianta and Blanchardstown Area Partnership.

The Greater Blanchardstown Area has experienced a period of unprecedented economic growth over the last decade. The population has increased to 70,000 and employment has grown year on year since the early 1990s. The area is now the industrial and commercial hub for County Fingal with large concentrations of retail, pharmaceutical, IT, distribution and service companies. Even with the slower pace of inward investment nationally, Blanchardstown continues to attract leading international companies to the area, most recently Ebay and Paypal.

According to Barry Cullen, President of the Blanchardstown Chamber of Commerce, ‘The report notes such phenomenal growth but also references areas, which require further effort, particularly transport infrastructure and social inclusion. However, the problems that we have are ‘good problems’ – how to maintain strong growth and competitiveness, not how to acquire them in the first place. The attractiveness of the area is reflected in the population growth, the growth in household formation and the increase in immigrant labour – people want to move to Blanchardstown to live, work and raise their children here. This is a vote of confidence in the area and its future. It is the responsibility of all key stakeholders and social partners to ensure that this confidence will be justified.’

The report provides detailed statistics on the growth experienced in Blanchardstown in the last decade, analysis of major trends such as demographics, employment profiles and educational participation, and projections on likely future trends. Some of the key findings from the report include:

1. Creation of a vision for the future of the area by local residents, employers and representative bodies
2. With a population greater than that of Galway, Blanchardstown should identify its own strong identity within Fingal
3. Improvements in public transportation including the upgrading of the rail network serving the southern parts of Blanchardstown
4. Development of a comprehensive tourism strategy for the area
5. Integration of modern and historical Blanchardstown
6. Achieve balanced economic and social development, which will impact on the attractiveness of the area to prospective employers and inward-investors.

According to Barry, ‘This is now the time for the people, organisations and enterprises of the area to begin defining their vision for the future and the Chamber hopes that this analysis, and the initial recommendations, will help to instigate the discussion of this vision at a local level within the Greater Blanchardstown Area.’

Copies of the report are available from Blanchardstown Chamber of Commerce on 820 9550 or email info@blanchardstownchamber.com