Enda Kenny
Question:85 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the development on the proposed digital hub in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13638/04]
View answerWednesday, 12 May 2004
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The digital hub, which is the Government's flagship project in the digital content sector, intends to provide a high quality environment for Irish and international new media companies, research and development and educational and community initiatives in the Liberties and Coombe area of Dublin city. Development agencies have identified the digital content industry as a high growth, value added industry which already exhibits significant strengths in Ireland. Substantial progress has been made in realising the aims of the project.
The Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003, enacted in July of last year, placed its development agency on a statutory footing. Property purchases amounting to €75 million have been completed and the Digital Hub Development Agency is engaged in negotiations to select a preferred developer for their refurbishment. Three consortia have been shortlisted for the development contract and have been asked to submit their best and final offer by 10 May 2004. Negotiations will take six weeks to conclude when the Digital Hub Development Agency will deliver a recommendation for my consideration. When completed, the project will deliver 500,000 sq. ft. of enterprise, learning and educational, residential and retail space.
The refurbishment of the Print Depot, a joint venture between the Digital Hub Development Agency, Enterprise Ireland and Dublin City Council, is complete. Up to 28 digital media companies have located in the hub, with substantial growth forecast for 2004. Construction of a 3 km. high speed, fibre broadband network in the hub at a cost of €2.29 million is complete and the facility to offer high quality competitively prices telecoms services to firms locating there is now available.
The Liberties learning initiative, an education and community-based programme, uses technology to tackle social and educational disadvantage within Dublin city centre. Supported by €1.3 million funding from Diageo Ireland, the programme is delivering a range of learning and showcasing projects focused on the creative use of digital media and reflects the national priorities of building a knowledge-based society and addressing the digital divide. The schools programme of the Liberties learning initiative seeks to develop a range of programmes in 16 local primary and second level schools aimed at addressing the digital divide. These include providing information and communication technology equipment and technical support to local schools, providing professional training to teachers on the education benefits of information and communication technology, and advising and informing the schools of employment opportunities in the digital sector. The schools programme aims to equip local children with the skills needed to live in a digital age, and to work in the digital media industry, which will be located on their doorstep. The Liberties Learning Studio was opened in December 2002 and provides a flexible multipurpose space, which can be used for a range of learning activities including community, enterprise and showcasing events. The facility is used for many purposes including, teacher training, digital community tutor training, awards ceremonies for local groups, exhibit launches, talk digital, digital media talks and community events.