Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which the digital hub has achieved or surpassed its potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21621/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) is making significant progress in achieving the major targets set out in its development plan. The DHDA contains 96 digital media companies, employing 727 full time highly skilled staff and a further 250 contract workers. The companies generate spending of €45M in salaries per year.

The DHDA manages 10 operational office buildings totalling 150,000 square feet. The next phase of property development is currently going through the planning process; this will deliver 140,000 sq. ft of state of the art digital media space by 2011. Revenue generated from rental income, course fees and sponsorship accounts for 65% of DHDA's income with the balance provided by the Exchequer. The DHDA is on track to achieve self-funding by 2010. The DHDA's learning programmes supported 3200 participants in 2007.

The Digital Hub has made significant progress in constructing a vibrant, innovation driven, collaborative knowledge community built around digital media, which is a new industry for Ireland. This is making, and will continue to make a considerable contribution to the regeneration of the Liberties in Dublin.