Government waives planning rules to bring Swedish superstore to Dublin

Environment minister Dick Roche has agreed to lift a ban on super-sized retail centres in the Republic of Ireland to allow Ikea to build its first store in the country. The 鈧�1 million project, which will create up to 500 jobs, is to be located in Ballymun, on of Dublin鈥檚 most disadvantaged suburbs. The government hopes that the store will boost efforts to regenerate the area, which is benefiting from 鈧�2 million-worth of state funding. The development is to include 5000 new homes, a civic centre and a retail park with the Ikea at its centre.

By allowing Ikea to set-up shop in the area the government also hopes to avoid seeing the Swedish firm going to Northern Ireland, creating a flow of shoppers, and their spending power, to north of the border.