Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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756. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there are vacancies on the board of the Digital Hub Development Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30483/18]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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757. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff employed by the Digital Hub Development Agency; if these staff members are funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30484/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 756 and 757 together.

The Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003 provides that the Agency shall consist of a maximum of 14 members. There are currently 9 members on the Board of the Agency. In June of this year I made three appointments to the Board of the Agency and I have no plans to make further appointments at this time.

In relation to staffing, the DHDA currently employs 12 people. While the Agency exploits commercial opportunities arising from its functions, this is not currently adequate to meet its full costs. The Department continues to part fund the Agency’s costs and for 2018 a grant of €530k is forecast as a contribution towards its staff costs.