Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the expenditure to date on the digital hub project; the future intentions to develop or expand the hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33541/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Exchequer expenditure at the Digital Hub since 2000 is approximately €128 million to date. This includes approximately €76 million investment in property and infrastructure as well as approximately €52 million in operational costs.

The Digital Hub has been and will continue to be successfully developed as a digital industry cluster, as well as a regeneration of an historic community area in the heart of Dublin.

In October 2005, the Agency announced a competition to develop 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. Private developers competed on the basis of bids of cash plus office space.

In November 2005, 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 break down of the tenders means that the Digital Hub will receive over 13,000 square metres (140,000 sq.ft.) of office space.

In relation to industry development in the cluster, about 60 companies, employing approximately 520 employees, are located in the Hub. These enterprises are involved in a range of activities including games software development, mobile technology, animation and TV production.