Gerard Murphy
Ceist:47 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the development of the proposed digital hub in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31379/03]
Written Answers. - Electronic Communications Infrastructure.
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-community initiatives in the Liberties-Coombe area of Dublin. The digital content industry has been identified by our development agencies as a high growth, value added industry where this country already exhibits significant strengths. A substantial amount of progress, which I will outline, has already been made in realising the aims of the project.
The Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003 was enacted in July of this year. The legislation, which places the development company for the hub on a statutory footing, is an important indication of Government commitment to the project. Property purchase amounting to €75 million has been completed. The property, which was vested in the Commissioners of Public Works, transferred to the new agency on enactment of the legislation. The digital hub is currently conducting negotiations to select a preferred developer for the refurbishment of the properties. Three consortia have bid for the development contract. These bids are currently being evaluated and a contract is expected to be awarded next year. It is envisaged that 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, which has been progressed as a joint venture between the Digital Hub Development Agency, Enterprise Ireland and Dublin City Council catering for established and high potential start-up companies in the digital media sector, is complete. A number of firms in the digital media sector have already located in the hub. 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 offers high quality competitively priced telecoms services to firms locating in the hub is now available.
The Liberties learning initiative, an education-community based programme being run in conjunction with the development of the digital hub, has a number of projects using technology to tackle social and educational disadvantage. Initiatives include digital storytelling which is using digital technology to allow local children to become familiar with technology and the digital communities project where a number of partners have come together to fit out 11 housing complexes in the inner city with computers, printers and scanners.