Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 339: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which the digital hub project is progressing with original intentions and objectives, costs or investments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17011/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) is continuing to work towards its development objectives to grow the Digital Hub. As of early 2010 there were 98 companies operating in the Digital Hub with 664 full time and a further 220 part time employees. The DHDA continues to promote the identity and brand of the Hub and companies located there have enjoyed notable successes and have gained national and international recognition.

On its educational remit the DHDA has delivered a very successful learning programme, which has provided state-of-the-art digital media education to schools and the wider community in Dublin's inner city. The DHDA has developed an award-winning community engagement process, the Community Public Private Partnership.

The DHDA has reached the point where all of its own available office space has been occupied and has leased office space to meet the requirements of its tenant companies. An additional 20,000 square feet will be delivered shortly through redevelopment of a building in the Hub in partnership with the OPW. The Agency had plans for the development of further office space that would have eliminated its reliance on Exchequer funding. This development is not progressing at present and the Agency is pursuing the matter with the two developers concerned.

I have initiated a review of the DHDA which is currently underway. It will, inter alia, focus on the objectives of the Agency, how these have been achieved and set out recommendations for the continuing role of the Agency and its potential role in the delivery of the Government's Smart Economy objectives.