Dear ,

As part of this month’s lobbying update, we are delighted to share the results of our most recent Business Outlook Survey, which focuses on the reopening of businesses and their plans for the workplace next year, and the summary results of recent focus groups. You can read some highlights below, or skip to the full report here.

Based on responses from 370 firms across Dublin, the Q3 survey reveals an overwhelming preference for a hybrid working model which includes both on-site and remote working. Business sentiment is continuing to improve, and most companies are making plans for an increased return to the business premises in the coming months. But the survey also highlights potential challenges associated with lower footfall on certain days of the week, and the need to reorganise premises due to Covid-19.

We have highlighted these and other challenges in meetings with the Tánaiste, the Minister for Finance, and the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform in recent weeks. And we are also working with Dublin City Council on an action plan for the city centre. Meanwhile, Dublin Chamber is lobbying local authorities across Dublin to make the case for a moratorium on commercial rates increases next year.

I want to thank all our members for their ongoing support and feedback about the issues affecting them. We will continue to provide a strong and informed voice for Dublin businesses during the remainder of this pandemic. For your reference, please note that the Work Safely Protocol has been updated in accordance with the most recent public health advice and is available here.

You can find out more below. As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your comments or concerns by contacting policy@dublinchamber.ie.

Regards,

Aebhric Mc Gibney

Director of Public & International Affairs

There are many issues facing Irish owned businesses such as job creation, retaining key talent, raising investment and business succession. These are all important issues, but business succession is particularly important and one which can be long fingered by some business owners. 

The 2021 PwC family business survey highlighted that only 23% of Irish family businesses have a robust documented and communicated succession plan in place, compared with 30% globally. One of the reasons why this might be so low is because a business succession plan often deals with sensitive issues, which can be emotional and hard to navigate, and as a result, tempting to avoid. 

Almost four in five Dublin businesses (78%) will be offering a hybrid model of remote and on-site working in 2022, according to Dublin Chamber’s Q3 Business Outlook Survey published today. While remote and flexible working are here to stay, the future of the office also looks secure. Notably, only 3% of businesses are planning to offer fully remote working conditions.

The survey was carried out among more than 370 companies and focused on the reopening of businesses, the future of work practices, and what this will mean for Dublin. The results demonstrate that for most businesses, on-site working arrangements made in conjunction with remote and flexible working are preferable.

The survey also reveals that Monday (25%) and Friday (38%) were the days of the week on which most businesses anticipated they would have no or low numbers of staff on-site. However almost 6 in 10 businesses (57%) report that this will not apply to them, with many noting that they will have a steady number of employees on-site throughout the week.

The survey results demonstrate that businesses were already planning for a phased and cautious return to the workplace prior to recently updated public health advise. The overwhelming preference for a hybrid model of on-site and remote working has proven that although businesses are welcoming new work patterns, the future of the office is still a priority.

It is important for businesses and the future of our urban centres to see some on-site working, where it is safe to do so. Companies have reported that on-site working is a priority in cultivating a positive workplace culture and community. Meanwhile, the return to the office is crucial for increasing footfall in our urban centres while providing much needed business to the retail and hospitality sectors.

You can read the full survey results here.

A new transport strategy for the Greater Dublin Area is soon to be published, following announcement of Government plans for infrastructure investment over the next decade. What will this mean for the big transport projects that Dublin sorely needs, like MetroLink, Luas expansion, and the DART+ Programme?

Join us to hear from Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority, who will brief businesses on the new strategy and what it will mean for companies and their staff across the Dublin region. She will be joined by Hugh Creegan, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Transport Planning & Investment. Their presentation will be followed by an opportunity for audience Q&A.

This webinar will be relevant to all businesses with an interest in infrastructure investment, public transport, commuter patterns, and quality of life in Dublin in the coming decade. Book here. 

Date: Wednesday 10^th November 2021

Time: 12pm - 1pm

The OECD has highlighted that digital firms perform better and are more dynamic: they have higher labour productivity, grow faster and have better management practices.

Is your business beginning its digitalisation journey? If so, you should be aware of Digitalisation Vouchers available from Enterprise Ireland until the end of this year.

The €9,000 Digitalisation Voucher from Enterprise Ireland allows companies to access the expertise needed to develop a digital roadmap from independent technical or advisory services related to the current and future operations of their business. The Digitalisation Voucher is open to companies that operate within the manufacturing or internationally traded services sectors who employed 10 or more full time people on their payroll on the 29th of February 2020 OR employed 10 fulltime staff at the time of application.

The voucher covers either technical or advisory services related to the operations of the business from an approved service provider up to a value of €9,000. Eligible Projects must include one or more of the following activities.

• Internal Process Optimisation (Lean-Digital-Automation)
• Enhancing Customer Digital Experience (Product, Service, Route to Market, Channels)
• Becoming a Data-Driven Business

Find out more here.

Do you have expertise and experience in digital transformation, including the adoption and provision of AI? Do you want to help drive the digital agenda in Ireland as it relates to businesses?  If so, you should consider applying to join the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum.

Whether your business is a micro-enterprise or a major multinational, you should consider sharing this experience to help inform Government policy in the coming years.

More information about the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum, including Terms of Reference and a contact point for expressions of interest, can be found here.

The closing date is 12 noon on Friday 12^th November.

In recent weeks, Dublin Chamber has continued to lobby for an ambitious approach to the future of Dublin, highlighting the need for infrastructure investment, appropriate residential development, and international connectivity to support business growth.

We recently made a submission to Fingal County Council on the very restrictive operating conditions that are due to apply in Dublin Airport following the opening of the new North Runway. Dublin Chamber has backed the Airport’s proposals for a relaxation of these restrictions to facilitate international connections and Dublin’s viability as a location for international airlines. You can read it here.

Dublin Chamber has also been lobbying Government to ensure that future development plans at local level include high targets for housing density, alignment with planned infrastructure, and embodiment of the 15 Minute City principle. These recommendations were outlined in our submission to the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage on the Draft Development Plan Guidelines for Planning Authorities. We have also welcomed the “City Edge” project planned for development of the Naas Road area over the coming years and have highlighted this as a practical opportunity to realise the 15 Minute City ambition.