Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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211. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if it will be ensured that section 15(6)(c) of the Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003 will be observed and that a representative of the local community be appointed by him with immediate effect to replace the previous representative whose term expired on 2 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31563/21]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Following a strategic review, which concluded that the Digital Hub is no longer required to sustain the continued growth of Dublin's digital enterprise sector, the Government decided on 27 April that the Digital Hub Development Agency should be dissolved and its land and property assets transferred to the Land Development Agency. It is anticipated that the wind down will be completed by 30 June 2022. I will shortly request the Board of the DHDA to prepare a programme for an orderly wind down, addressing the needs of the staff of the DHDA, client companies and communications with the local communities. I will take all necessary steps to ensure that board vacancies are appropriately filled and that a functioning board is in place to discharge the Agency’s statutory functions during the wind down period.

Since the Government Decision, my Department has met with the LDA and it is also keenly aware of the need and value of community engagement as part of its plans for the regeneration of the area.  My Department will work closely with the DHDA, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the LDA to ensure that the wind down takes account of the needs of the community.