Welcome

South Dublin Chamber is the leading business organisation in South Dublin County

As your local Chamber, we are here to support you in any way that we can. An important element of this is the supply of relevant business advice and information. This is communicated through a variety of means:

  • Direct Contact with Chamber Staff
  • Lobbying & Representation
  • Export Documentation
  • Business to Business Networks
  • Training provided for members, with small or no charge
  • Social Media
  • E-News
  • Printed Newsletter
  • Email Communication
  • Website

South Dublin Chamber is affiliated to Chambers Ireland – Ireland’s largest business network creating the best environment for members locally, regionally and nationally.

Message from the President

Dear Member,

It was a privilege to be elected President of South Dublin Chamber at our recent AGM. I look forward to working with and representing you our members on the issues that impact all our businesses.

I was appointed Vice President for Partnerships in Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) in September 2021. The Partnerships function oversees, facilitates, and promotes strategic relationships between the University and significant collaborating organisations, international student recruitment and, enterprise and societal engagement activities across the organisation. I was previously Principal, Tallaght Campus from the establishment of the University in 2019. I was appointed President of the Institute of Technology Tallaght in 2014, one of the three founding institutions of TU Dublin. I joined IT Tallaght (then known as RTC Tallaght) in 1992 as a lecturer in Accountancy & Taxation. I was subsequently appointed the first Head of Department of Accountancy & Professional Studies followed by Secretary & Financial Controller in the Institute. I previously worked as a professional accountant in practice, industry, and the civil service.

The year got off to a good start with the announcement by South Dublin County Council in their annual budget that they were increasing investment in infrastructure in the county but not increasing commercial rates. This is welcome news with so many other costs increasing including energy, labour, and distribution costs. Forecasts predicting the level of inflation will fall during the year are welcome from its current level of 3.2%. It still needs to fall further to sustain competitiveness in the economy.

The announcement of the proposed MetroLink project is welcomed. In 2021 Dublin was ranked as the 35th most congested city in the world. Whilst it will take many years before this becomes a reality it will in the long term make a significant difference to transport in Dublin. Locally we need the outer ring road for Dublin to return under active consideration. For many the M50 conjures up feelings of frustration and dismay as it was originally intended as an outer ring road but has long lost that function and today is the country’s most important and congested road.

Employment is growing at present and we strongly encourage our members to look locally when recruiting. In some cases, there are supports and incentives to return to work, to help those who are out of employment for longer periods. With a tight employment market we should support everyone who wants to return to or enter employment for the first time.

The year ahead is looking good for our members. Economic activity continues to normalise with positive growth forecasts, GDP is expected to rise and Modified Domestic Demand is growing by 2.2% in 2024. What helps all members is when we help each other so please use our online marketplace to promote your business and as always, please invite fellow members to offer you a quote or a cost for a product or service.

I wish you and your team a successful business year and please contact the Chamber if we can be of help.

Thomas Stone 

President