Tánaiste Officially Opens Dunhill Enterprise Centre’s New Facility in Waterford

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Harney today (Friday 13th October, 2000) officially opened Dunhill Enterprise Centre’s new facility in Waterford.

Speaking at the opening the Tánaiste said "I am delighted to be here today to perform the official opening of Dunhill Enterprise Centre’s new facility and I would like to thank the members of the Dunhill, Fenor, Boatstrand and Annestown (DFBA) Community Enterprises Group for their kind invitation. This region has a particularly impressive history of community led industrial development and concern for the environment. The DFBA, in co-operation with other groups such as the Waterford Leader Partnership Ltd and Fás, has done much to promote employment and industrial expansion in this area. The Enterprise Centre here in Dunhill represents a further positive contribution to industrial development in the region."

The Tánaiste continued "I would not be standing here today if it had not been for the foresight and, I am sure you will agree, the many long hours of hard work which the DFBA Community Enterprises Group put into this project - from its inception, to securing the funding, to the construction and the fitting out of the centre and finally to the first enterprise occupying a unit here. I am sure you will all agree that the groups efforts are encouraging to us all and clearly demonstrate what can be achieved through a community working together to achieve a common objective."

"Rural life has changed rapidly in the last decade. We can see increasing urbanisation in the growth of many of our towns. Coupled with this is a population decline in many districts. While agriculture still continues to be the major generator of economic activity in rural areas, the long-term trend is for the relative significance of conventional farming to decline, especially as a provider of employment and incomes. Indeed, at present the majority of rural dwellers are neither farmers nor directly dependent on agriculture," the Tánaiste said.

The Tánaiste continued "It is therefore important to provide additional income and job creation opportunities in rural areas, while at the same time cherishing the distinct persona and culture of rural Ireland. This is why Community Enterprise Centres such as the one here in Dunhill are so important.

Local Enterprise Centres provide a base for micro industries/services and thus act as a catalyst for economic development in the area. I know the Enterprise Centre here in Dunhill is providing valuable workspace for start up businesses in the region, and will facilitate the development of a number of viable enterprises already emerging within the local community. All the businesses in the Centre are performing well. The entrepreneurs are young and ambitious and they now have quality premises at very competitive rents and an environment which will enable them realise their potential and prosper."

"It is crucial for the long-term success of the economy that we have a steady stream of new business ventures with the potential to grow rapidly. Ireland needs a strong, vibrant, locally controlled business sector with the commitment to grow profitably in an increasingly challenging and fast moving global business environment. The Government is committed to supporting businesses to grow sales, exports and jobs, and is channelling the resources needed for indigenous industrial development through the industrial development agencies and the 35 City and County Enterprise Boards. The agencies are shifting grant assistance more and more into research and development, encouraging firms to innovate and to pursue new opportunities and explore new markets," the Tánaiste said.

Concluding the Tánaiste thanked the members of the Dunhill, Fenor, Boatstrand and Annestown (DFBA) Community Enterprises Group for inviting her to the Centre and commend them on their commitment to the development and rejuvenation of South East Waterford.