Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans for the future of the Digital Hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28060/05]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the development of the Digital Hub in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28059/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans for the future of the Digital Hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28119/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the development of Digital Hub in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28120/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 139, 247 and 248 together.

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 an 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 will be developed as a mixture of residential, commercial and retail properties, in addition to public spaces. The private developers will compete on the basis of bids of cash plus office space. The office space will be handed back to the Digital Hub Development Agency and will be used to accommodate an increased number of digital enterprises in the area. These tenders must be submitted by 18 November for evaluation.

In relation to industry development, the agency has been successful to date in growing the cluster with about 50 companies now employing approximately 400 employees in the hub. These enterprises are involved in a range of activities including games software development, mobile technology, animation and TV production.

In relation to the social and community development remit of the hub, the agency has operated the Liberties learning initiative, which uses technology to tackle social and educational disadvantage in the area. Supported by funding from Diageo Ireland, the programme delivers a range of learning and showcasing projects focused on the creative use of digital media and reflects the national priorities of building a knowledge-based society and addressing the digital divide.

In addition, the schools programme of the Liberties learning initiative has developed a range of programmes in 16 local primary and second level schools aimed at addressing the digital divide. These include providing information and communication technology, ICT, equipment and technical support to local schools, providing professional training to teachers so they are fully informed about the education benefits of ICT, and advising and informing the schools of employment opportunities in the digital sector. The schools programme aims to equip local children with the skills needed to live in a digital age, and to work in the digital media industry, which will be located on their doorstep.

In relation to digital research and development, I intend to establish a national digital media research and innovation centre, the National Digital Research Centre, NDRC, in the hub, subject to a satisfactory proposal being put to me. The Higher Education Authority, on my behalf, has invited proposals for the establishment and management of the proposed centre. The proposed centre will complement existing Government initiatives focused on digital media and technology enterprises and assist in the development of the Digital Hub district.