Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

The digital hub project, managed by the independent Digital Hub Development Agency, has been and will continue to be successful in developing a digital industry cluster, as well as in regenerating a historic community area in the heart of Dublin by operating a number of significant community and educational initiatives as part of its role in the digital hub district.

On 5 October, the agency announced a competition to develop over five acres of land in the digital hub. This land is to be developed as a mixture of residential, commercial and retail properties, in addition to public spaces. The private developers competed on the basis of bids of cash plus office space. The office space will be handed back to the digital hub agency and will be used to accommodate an increased number of digital enterprises in the area.

On 22 November, I announced the acceptance of tenders for two sites, with a combined area of almost 5.6 acres for approximately €118 million. In return for the land, the State will receive a combination of €72.4 million in cash and €45.7 million in high quality offices, which will accommodate digital enterprises as the digital hub grows. The breakdown of the tenders means that the digital hub will receive over 13,000 sq. m., 140,000 sq. ft., of office space.

The digital hub has engaged with local community interests on the project from the beginning. The consultation takes place through the unique community, public, private partnership, CPPP, process, which is chaired by DHDA board member, Peter Cassells.

As a result of the consultation, the two private developers are required under the terms of the development contract to engage with the local community through the CPPP process. The successful tenderers will now be required to make a planning application within six months and on receipt of planning to construct the office space offered. They must engage with interested parties through the CPPP process. The office space will facilitate the future expansion of the digital hub by accommodating digital media enterprises. The amount to be used for residential or other commercial purposes will be a matter for the tenderers and the planning authorities.

With regard to industry development, the agency has been successful to date in growing the cluster with about 50 companies now employing approximately 500 people in the hub. These enterprises are involved in a range of activities including games software development, mobile technology, animation and TV production.

See this speech in context