Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Job Creation

9:00 pm

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 178: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to develop a hub for game development here; her further plans to explore this area as part of the smart economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48607/09]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Enterprise Ireland is the lead government agency responsible for the development of indigenous enterprise. It supports companies employing 10 or more people and start-up companies which have the potential to employ 10 or more people and reach or exceed €1m in exports over three years. Enterprise Ireland offers a comprehensive range of services, including both financial and non-financial supports, to companies with a business strategy that encompasses the elements required for business success.

Enterprise Ireland has been very active in the digital sector through ongoing funding support for third level institutions, start-up companies and also established and scaling companies. Enterprise Ireland has labelled the digital sector TIME (Telecom Internet Media and Edutainment). The sector consists of approximately 350 EI client companies and growing. Approximately 60 companies have a high profile having closed significant deals (between €200k and €12m) with telecom operators, such as Telefonica, Sprint, Vodafone and also with media/entertainment companies including Nickelodeon, CBBC, Disney and Facebook. The establishment of Facebook's European headquarters here in Ireland, follows the positive trend set by Google, Microsoft, eBay and Intel.

In relation to developing a hub for game development, Enterprise Ireland has funded or co-funded the majority of incubator/hub space in Ireland for early stage business. Incubator space for start-ups in the Gaming/Entertainment sector is focused in Dublin and provided by the Digital Depot located in Thomas St and Media Cube in Dun Laoghaire's Institute of Art, Design and Technology. Both centres provide spaces for over 50 digital related companies. Other incubator centres around Ireland have assisted in developing successful digital companies over the last number of years.

However, while the prospect of a dedicated hub focused on just gaming/entertainment has been investigated, the Digital Hub approach appears to be the preferred approach at the moment. Enterprise Ireland will continue to monitor and influence changes in strategic focus of the digital hubs as new business models emerge. Enterprise Ireland's new Software Strategy document (launched in 2009) has highlighted the importance of specific clusters with internet/gaming clusters as one of the clusters highlighted for growth. Enterprise Ireland continues to support the games sector in Ireland and actively engages with the companies involved with regard to clustering and sectoral development.

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