Project could create 2,000 jobs

For every job provided by Tallaght Hospital another should be created in spin-off enterprises and ancillary services, according to the local chamber of commerce. Mr John Dunne, chief executive of the south Dublin chamber, predicts that up to 2,000 jobs may be created either directly or indirectly in the locality, matching the expected staff level at the hospital.

"We'd estimate that every job in manufacturing creates two jobs down the line in spin-offs and services. The returns wouldn't be quite that high with the hospital. But we'd expect about a 1:1 ratio," he said.

With more than 7,000 people unemployed and around 30,000 people aged under 20 years in Tallaght, the opening of hospital will come as a welcome boost.

"In the short term, it's going to cause problems by increasing the volume of traffic and congestion in the area," said Mr Dunne. "And at the start, there won't be a lot of opportunities for local people as staff from the other three hospitals will take up most of the positions.

"But from a long term economic point of view, it's going to be terrific as, hopefully, the hospital will start buying local services and products and become more integrated into the local economy."

As well as consumer goods, he believes there is a market for medical products, such as swabs and elastic stockings, which could be exploited by some local enterprise. He said a technology park may also emerge at the hospital - centred on Trinity College's new medical block in the facility.

Ms Anna Lee, manager of the Tallaght Partnership, said the biggest impact will be on the retail and accommodation sectors.

"A lot of hospital staff are likely to relocate in Tallaght, which may cause a shift in the profile of the community," she said.

Recent figures showed that a little more than 3 per cent of the local population of 80,000 continued education after 20 years of age, compared to 10 per cent nationally. Ms Lee said she saw that gap narrowing in the coming years with the joint effect of the hospital and Tallaght RTC.

Mr David Sharp, liaison officer at the Tallaght Local Employment Network, believes the hospital will have "a very, very positive impact" on the area. "People are really looking forward to it," he said, "although it's difficult to gauge what effect, if any, it will have on the long-term unemployed."