Eamon Ryan
Question:247 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the future plans for the development of a company (details supplied) in the centre of Dublin. [31531/04]
View answerTuesday, 30 November 2004
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Media Lab Europe, or MLE, was formed through a series of tripartite agreements between the State, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and MIT Media Lab and has been in operation since early 2000. It was established to conduct non-directed research in the field of digital media. While it is acknowledged that research will generally require State support, the uniqueness of the MLE model as presented initially to Government was that it would be self-funding by 2005. However, MLE has consistently failed to meet its financial projections. Circumstances have deteriorated significantly over the past 24 months. At its current rate of expenditure, its funding should take MLE to the end of the first quarter of 2005.
In view of these developments, the Government liaison committee, which brings together Departments with an interest in the MLE operation, wrote to MLE in February 2004 requesting that it undertake a fundamental review of its business model and produce a strategic plan. The board of MLE submitted its strategic plan to the Department on 7 May 2004 and included a request for additional Exchequer funding of €9 million. Considering the importance of digital media in the broader information and communications technology sector and the need for commitment to research and development in the field, a comprehensive assessment of the current model and structures at MLE was required. This having been done, I am considering possible options for the future of MLE.