Knock SDZ PM appointment ‘a major step forward’

THE appointment of a new Project Manager of the SDZ at Ireland West Airport signals a ‘major step forward’ for the airport and the entire region, according to Mayo Minister of State, Dara Calleary.

The Steering Committee of the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) at Ireland West Airport Knock announced that Dominick Healy will be the first Project Manager. When he takes up his role with Mayo County Council on August 22, his first priority will be to prepare a roadmap and programme for the development of the SDZ, working with the multi-agency Steering Committee established by the Government.

The appointment was announced by Kevin Kelly, Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, and welcomed by Ballina-based Mayo TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary.

“The vision for Ireland West Airport is that of a dynamic regional airport and business campus that will become an economic gateway to the west and northwest,” he said. “The appointment of a project manager is a major step forward for the airport and presents an opportunity to drive investment and employment at a key strategic location in the region; this will help to deliver on a key Government priority in terms of more balanced and sustainable regional development. I wish Dominick every success in his new role,” Minister Calleary said.

Jobs promise

Last year the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment allocated €200,000 per year for two years to Mayo County Council to enable the employment of a dedicated project manager and the engagement of external expertise to develop a roadmap for the SDZ site, which has the potential to deliver over 4,000 jobs.

If built out to full capacity, the site could deliver 95,025 square metres of commercial, business and enterprise space, along with 44,000 square metres of aviation economic development and services, and 11,000 square metres of hotel accommodation and conference floor space.

Mr Healy has extensive experience as a civil engineer in the construction industry, having worked for more than 15 years in both the private and public sectors. He brings experience of client-side delivery on several large capital public projects as project manager, project coordinator and director, including most recently as Director of Construction and Infrastructure with the Grangegorman Development Agency on the mixed-use Grangegorman Strategic Development Zone project.

Kevin Kelly, Chief Executive of Mayo County Council is looking forward to working closely with him. “I am delighted to make this announcement and to welcome Dominick Healy to our team. This is an important appointment, and his leadership and experience will play a vital role in charting the vision and future for the SDZ at IWA,” he said.

Unleash potential

Mayo Fine Gael TD and Minister of State for Planning and Local Government Alan Dillon said he hoped the appointment of Mr Healy will lead to the SDZ to become a viable alternative for future investment.

“We need to make Mayo a more attractive place for investment and to do that we must unlock the potential at Knock Airport and ensure we have a viable proposition to any future investors. We need certainty around planning and access to critical infrastructure and the designation of the SDZ to be more appealing to those in sectors that possibly wouldn’t be able to set up in this county without the additional support which the SDZ will provide for them.

“We have seen success in other regions like the Shannon Free Zone, and we need to replicate something similar and unleash the potential the Atlantic Economic Corridor presents. Now with the revision of the National Planning Framework and how it seeks to provide better balanced regional development, this SDZ project can build momentum and this appointment gives it a significant boost,” Minister Dillon said.

National importance

The decision to approve the Ireland West Airport Knock Strategic Development Zone was agreed at Enda Kenny’s last cabinet meeting in May 2017.

Strategic Development Zones are designated parcels of land that are considered of strategic national importance, to be fast tracked through the planning process. They cannot be referred to An Bord Pleanála.

There are ten areas in the state designated as SDZs, but the Knock Airport SDZ will be the only one located outside an urban area in Ireland. Its designation has the potential to significantly enhance the airport’s role as a driver of regional economic development.

The Government decision to fund the employment of a dedicated project manager is overseen by the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is chaired by Mayo County Council and includes representatives of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, IWAK, Western Development Commission, North and Western Regional Assembly, Atlantic Technological University and the Programme Manager for the West Regional Enterprise Plan.