Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 January 2013
95. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the proposed future use of the Enterprise Ireland site on Griffith Avenue Extension, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3601/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise Ireland transferred the greater part of the site in question to Dublin City University (DCU) who will develop the site into an internationally-recognised “Innovation Campus”, involving a partnership of education and research institutions, enterprise and the semi-state sector.
I was pleased to officially open the DCU Innovation Campus on Monday last, 21 January 2013. This initiative will provide a new national centre for innovation in the Cleantech sector, one of the fastest growing areas of economic activity and worth more than €5 trillion globally. The new campus, which will be a location of choice for Cleantech start-ups, SMEs and larger companies, is expected to drive significant green economy growth in the North Dublin and Leinster area, supporting 200 jobs over the initial 18 months. The initiative is a great example of using scarce State resources in smart ways to drive job creation, and provides a model of what we must do across Government if we are to create the jobs we need.
The remaining part of the site, comprising approximately two acres, was assigned to the Department of Education and Science, which plans to build an “Educate Together” national school to serve the local area. This is another excellent example of how the State is maximising its limited resources to facilitate the provision of important public services.
