Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013
366. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of Stae investment in the new clean technology campus at Dublin City University; if a competition was held for the funding; if other institutions are to be asked to participate in such projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3808/13]
View answerIn September 2008, the former Enterprise Ireland (EI) Headquarters site at Glasnevin became vacant due to the relocation of the EI Dublin offices to East Point Business Park. The total site is an approximate area of 11 acres and consists of several office and laboratory type buildings and a green space. Dublin City University (DCU), which has its main campus very close to the Glasnevin site, expressed an interest in acquiring the site to accommodate a Green Way Innovation Campus. The University developed a long-term plan detailing the development of the site as an innovation campus, including job creation targets in respect of new start-up ventures to be accommodated on the site. The remaining part of the site, comprising approximately two acres, was assigned to the Department of Education and Skills, which plans to build an “Educate Together” national school to serve the local area.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform approved the transfer of both sites in January 2012 and this was subsequently approved by the EI Board in June 2012. The transfer to DCU is under a long-term lease with agreed metrics/targets to be achieved within 10 years of signing the lease. These targets will be monitored by EI and my Department. My Department is supportive of the initiative by DCU to develop an internationally-recognised “Innovation Campus” on the site, with a particular focus on research-active Cleantech firms. The campus is an important element within “The Green Way” Cleantech cluster and it is envisaged that it will support high-value employment in indigenous and multinational companies focussed on eco-innovation. The partners in “The Green Way” cluster include Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, Dublin City University, Dublin Institute of Technology, the Dublin Airport Authority, North Dublin Chamber and Ballymun Regeneration Ltd.
