Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the costs of the development and promotion of the digital hub to date in 2005; the likely future costs of same; if this is in accordance with projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34530/05]

Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to the promotion and development of the digital hub with particular reference to the associated costs to date in 2005 and its future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34529/05]

Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the extent of the expansion of facilities at the digital hub; the extent to which targets or projections are being achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34531/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the current position in regard to the promotion and development of the digital hub with particular reference to the associated costs to date and its future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34699/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which he sees the digital hub developing in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34700/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 291: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the extent of the expansion of facilities at the digital hub; the extent to which targets or projections are being achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34701/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the costs of the development and promotion of the digital hub to date in 2005; the likely future costs of same; if this is in accordance with projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34702/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 148, 161, 176, 289, 290, 291 and 292 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. During 2005, €2.5 million was provided to the Digital Hub Development Agency to clear an overdraft which had been built up through its operating costs during 2004 and part of 2005. In addition, €550,000 has been provided to date during 2005 to meet the ongoing operating costs of the agency. Future costs will be kept under review by the Department and will be subject to negotiations with the agency.

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.

With regard 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.

As regards 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. 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.