Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
147. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that section 15(6)(c) of the Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003 will be observed and that a representative of the local community be appointed by him with immediate effect to replace the previous representative whose term expired on 2 June 2021 (details supplied). [55629/21]
View answer152. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that section 15 subsection 6(c) of the Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003 will be observed and that a representative of the local community will be appointed by him with immediate effect to replace the previous representative whose term expired on 2 June 2021 especially in view of an announcement (details supplied) that the digital hub will continue to function beyond June 2022. [55678/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 152 together.
In April 2021, the Government decided to dissolve the Digital Hub Development Agency and to transfer its properties to the Land Development Agency. My Department continues to engage with the DHDA and the LDA in this regard, and it is also keenly aware of the need and value of community engagement as part of its plans for the regeneration of the area. I will take all necessary steps to ensure that board vacancies are appropriately filled and that a functioning board is in place to discharge the Agency’s statutory functions during the wind down period. In this regard, my Department has engaged with the Public Appointments Service in order to identify suitable candidates from the community to be considered for appointment to the board to fill the vacancy of the Local Community Representative. I expect that the position will be advertised this month.
