Jobs and Communications Committees to visit Digital Hub

Located in Dublin’s south-west inner city, the Digital Hub is home to more than 70 digital enterprises, employing 800 people and ranging from start-ups to well-established businesses which are significant leaders in their fields.

Committee members will meet with Edel Flynn, Director of Commercial Operations at the Digital Hub and Stephen Brennan, Director of Marketing and Strategy and will receive a presentation on the Digital Hub’s operations. This will be followed by walk through the Digital Hub site where members will visit a number of companies. They will meet with Paul Doherty, Managing Director of Software Design and Tansy Murray, Creative Director of Twelve Horses and its managing Director Gabriel Stafford.

Chairman of the Committee Deputy Damien English said: “The Digital Hub is an initiative aimed at creating an international centre of excellence for digital content and technology enterprises. The knowledge economy has been identified as a key element in Ireland’s economic recovery and will play a key role in creating jobs and reducing unemployment. The Digital Hub is an example of how centres of excellence can provide the right conditions and infrastructure for companies to develop and expand. So we are looking forward to meeting with those managing the centre and companies operating there to see at first hand this innovative approach to supporting the emerging Irish digital industry.”

Communications Committee Chairman Andrew Doyle TD says: “Established in 2003, the Digital Hub has fostered creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital media sector, with applications now central to modern living. As a state body, The Digital Hub Development Agency falls under the auspices of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and, consequently, our Committee has an important oversight role in the state body's work. Tomorrow’s visit will provide an opportunity to view first hand a facility at the cutting edge of Ireland’s digital economy.”

Before their visit to the Digital Hub, the delegation will visit Warrenmount Secondary School in Dublin 8. The school has been working with the Digital Hub Development Agency since 2002 on a range of ICT projects, where there was a strong focus on active learning.

Members of both committees will meet with Philip Flynn, Chief Executive of the Digital Hub, Gwen Brennan, School Principal and John Hurley of the Digital Hub Development Agency’s learning programme. In attendance will be 5-6 transition year students who will undertake a live link-up with their peers from Scoil Bhride, Clondalkin.

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551

Schedule for the Visit to The Digital Hub

Wednesday, 25th April 2012

3pm Arrive at Warrenmount Presentation College, Clarence Mangan Road, Dublin 8.
• Meet Philip Flynn, CEO of the Digital Hub (Philip will lead the visit throughout the afternoon).
• Meet with School Principal, Gwen Brennan and other staff.
• Meet with John Hurley, DHDA’s learning programme.
• In attendance will be 5-6 transition year students who will undertake a live link-up with their peers from Scoil Bhride, Clondalkin.

3.30pm Depart Warrenmount College

3.35pm Arrive Digital Depot, Roe Lane, off Thomas Street, Dublin 8
• Meet with Edel Flynn, Director of Commercial Operations
• Meet Stephen Brennan, Director of Marketing and Strategy

There will be a short presentation to offer Committee members an overview of the DHDA project in the Depot’s presentation room.

4.15pm Walk through The Digital Hub site to Digital Court to visit companies
• Meet with Paul Doherty, MD of Software Design.
• Meet with Tansy Murray (Creative Director) / Gabriel Stafford (MD) Twelve Horses.

4.40pm Depart back to Leinster House from Digital Court (via Thomas Court, Dublin 8).

Members Attending:

Joint Committee on Jobs Social Protection and Education
Deputy Damien English, Chairman
Deputy Aine Collins
Deputy Michael Conaghan
Deputy Tom Fleming

Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture
Deputy Andrew Doyle, Chairman (from 3.35pm)
Deputy Noel Harrington
Deputy Ann Phelan