March 2007

During the last three months of 2006 the Chamber conducted a number of survey drops to assess the appetite and range of Dundalk’s Dublin bound commuters, to gauge if and how many would like to return to work locally. Just over 120 were completed and a number of signal indicators are beginning to emerge; the key ones were:

• By far the largest group of talent hoping to find employment here were the 29% traveling to IT jobs in Dublin
• At 19% those commuting to Financial Services jobs, mainly based in the IFSC, came the second tranche, with Professionals a near third at 18%
• Civil Servants provided 11% of those hoping for a return
• Software and Engineering personnel came in at 5% each in the poll
• Construction at 3.67% was much lower than was expected, and
• Retail and Hospitality recorded 2.75%

What might we suggest from the early findings?

Primarily: It appears that there are nearing 60% of the people traveling daily to Dublin from Dundalk, who would elect to fit into the growing Services sector here. Might it not be appropriate for Dundalk to be considered for zoning with the same tax-free designation as IFSC? That would be a real decentralization signal; it would reinforce the recognition that Ireland can adapt its huge infrastructure investment as strength to force this Border East region’s economy to catch-up with the South-East. It would also register faith in the process to reach out and integrate NI’s position as a participant in the all-island economy, if that zone were adjacent to it. There are many European exemplars of tax-free zones making the difference, Shannon is but one success.

Secondarily: The election of a number of Civil Servants to forego the commute, suggests Dundalk might yet be further considered as a decentralization location, the government might find it much easier to entice staff to come here than beat a path to distant Kerry, Cork or Donegal. A review of the proposed decentralization should be undertaken and Dundalk’s claims revisited.

There were a few reservations, not many expressed willingness to take any cut whatsoever in earnings to return here, and so, we must expect that economic development, providing quality jobs, will be the only focus to align with commuters’ aspirations.

The respondents are possibly only 7-8% of those traveling daily to Dublin; the relevance of this may be that Dundalk plc may have to battle much harder than it thinks to claim the level of returnees that its Gateway aspirations suggest. Just one-third of the survey returns were from women, perhaps reflective of the proportion traveling, but perhaps also indicative that more women are willing to bear the commute, if the right career opportunity avails of itself in Dublin!