Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the proposed disbandment of the Digital Hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35519/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Digital Hub Development Agency has enjoyed much success in creating a cluster of young and vibrant enterprises in the Digital Hub focussing on the creation and development of digital media content. There are now 870 employees working in 101 companies located in the Digital Hub. A further 290 approximately contract employees are engaged on a regular basis by Hub companies. Approximately one in six digital media companies currently operating in Ireland is based in the Digital Hub. The work of these companies encompasses computer gaming, animation, online bookings, Internet security, website development, mobile technologies, broadcasting, design and Internet services. Such highly-skilled knowledge economy companies play a key part to maintaining and developing economic success.

The Digital Hub Development Agency has performed very well since its inception and I look to the client companies that have been nurtured at the Digital Hub as exemplars of what we can do in establishing Ireland as a leader in digital media industries. Despite recent media reports there are no plans to disband the Digital Hub or the Agency. The McCarthy Report called for the Agency to be merged with Enterprise Ireland or the IDA. The question of the future governance of the Agency is something I will be examining with a view to ensuring that it is best positioned to deliver on our digital economy agenda.