Vol. 541 No. 2
233 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position regarding the development of MediaLab Europe in view of the difficulties being encountered in the information technology industry in the United States of America; and if there has been any slowdown in the investment in this project by the private partners involved. [20991/01]
The timing of the Government's decision to establish MediaLab Europe has turned out to be a helpful development as it is now an integral part of our response to dealing with the downturn and positioning the Irish economy for the economic recovery. The slowdown in the high-tech sector, particularly in the USA, has certainly increased the challenge for MediaLab Europe to secure investment from this sector at present. However, MediaLab Europe's primary investment target is European industry and it is in discussion with companies from a diverse range of sectors, beyond just the information, communications and technology, ICT, sector in keeping with the interdisciplinary approach to research at MediaLab Europe. These sectors include, finance, logistics and distribution, motor, retail, manufacturing, consulting, broadcasting and publishing.
There is now a top class research team in place comprising 40 staff and 20 post-graduate students admitted under MediaLab Europe's two year fellowship programme. These researchers are spread across a number of research groups, covering areas such as the use of technology that can enable or empower people who are otherwise marginalised, interfaces where touch is used instead of or in addition to sight and sound, the dynamics of wireless networks and applications, everyday learning, mobile technologies, use of technology for physical and mental health and the future of music and story networks.
MediaLab Europe is just one part of a wider, long-term strategy to develop our research and development capacity and move our information, communications and technology, ICT, sector up the value chain. Given the current economic climate, it is all the more important that we continue this approach to ensure that Ireland maintains its position internationally and is ready to take advantage of future growth opportunities.
