The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam, was joined by Darina Kneafsey, Chair of the DHDA, Fiach Mac Conghail, Chief Executive Officer of The Digital Hub, and Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive of Dublin City Council (DCC) at the Strategic Plan’s official launch at The Digital Hub today.

The plan outlines the DHDA’s future vision for The Digital Hub enterprise campus, which the DHDA operates in The Liberties in Dublin 8.

Following the 2021 Government decision to dissolve the DHDA and use The Digital Hub campus for housing, the DHDA has continued to work closely with the Land Development Agency (LDA) on the housing agency’s plans to deliver much needed new homes.

The Strategic Plan details the process by which this can be realised and the potential for The Digital Hub to become a separate legal entity under the auspices of DCC once the DHDA is dissolved.

In its Pear Tree Crossing masterplan, the LDA has committed to using certain derelict or vacant parts of The Digital Hub campus to develop housing in a move that is supported by the DHDA.

Approximately 550 homes are planned, and the site will also include a vibrant mix of commercial, cultural, and community facilities as well as the refurbishment and adaptive re-use of a number of buildings on Thomas Street.  Agreement is in place between the DHDA and the LDA, and the process to affect the legal transfer of the required buildings is currently underway.

As part of this process, the LDA has indicated that the majority of The Digital Hub’s currently occupied buildings should be maintained according to their current use as this would support the overall plan to ensure a mixed-use new community where people can both live and work.

These buildings are home to the 59 businesses, social enterprises and cultural organisations, which are members of The Digital Hub and collectively employ over 600 people. They are also deployed for community use and for activities such as theatre rehearsals, performances and exhibitions.

As outlined in the new Strategic Plan, the DHDA is currently engaged in discussions with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, DCC and the LDA on how this could be achieved and on a potential future and evolved role for the DHDA as a standalone legal entity operating under the auspices of DCC.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam, said:

‍“I am pleased to officially launch the DHDA’s Strategic Plan at a time when The Digital Hub is operating at close to full capacity. The Digital Hub is home to many successful businesses, social enterprises and cultural groups, operating in wonderfully restored buildings and adding immensely to the vibrancy of what is an historic part of the city. I would like to recognise the ongoing support and opportunities The Digital Hub provides to its member organisations as well as the crucial role it plays in the provision of community services and programmes. I am delighted to see a determination to continue this important work in the new Strategic Plan and I am encouraged by both the DHDA’s commitment to support the Land Development Agency in the delivery of new homes on The Digital Hub campus and the potential transition of The Digital Hub to Dublin City Council as outlined in the plan."

He added:

‍“We need to develop new housing, but it is important that it is developed in partnership and exists alongside business, community and mixed-use buildings as well as services and amenities. It makes sense to maintain the presence and operation of the buildings currently occupied by The Digital Hub’s members and I look forward to further developments in the ongoing discussions between the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, the DHDA, DCC and the LDA.”

Darina Kneafsey, Chair of the DHDA, said:

‍“This is an exciting and dynamic time for the DHDA and The Digital Hub as we explore new opportunities for  our campus and business in the heart of Dublin’s Liberties. Our new Strategic Plan is a transitional one, developed to steer our onward journey as we seek to pivot from being a state agency to new standalone legal entity under the auspices of Dublin City Council.”

Fiach Mac Conghail, Chief Executive Officer, The Digital Hub, said:

‍“Realising this transition would dissolve the DHDA as required by Government while enabling the new standalone entity to maintain and advance its existing enterprise cluster and community programmes.  

“It would position us to continue to support the development of The Digital Hub campus and wider community in partnership with Dublin City Council and the Land Development Agency. It would also ensure that we can continue to play a leading role in supporting the sustainable and urban regeneration of an historic part of Dublin city.  We believe this would be a positive and effective outcome for all, especially as it is being proposed at a time when The Digital Hub is operating at almost  full capacity.”

Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive Officer, Dublin City Council, said:

‍“As outlined in the DHDA’s new Strategic Plan, Dublin City Council is entering a new phase of collaboration with The Digital Hub and working in partnership on the DHDA’s potential transition to a standalone legal entity under the auspices of Dublin City Council.

“We are excited to see the outcome of this process and believe that maintaining and expanding the DHDA’s programmes, its buildings, enterprise facilities and staff skillset could promote and drive further regeneration in Dublin 8 and perhaps in other parts of the city. The DHDA’s know-how and experience has been developed over many years and could play a vital role in assisting Dublin City Council.”

He added:

“The Council is constantly seeking to ensure key and historic parts of the city, including the Liberties, can benefit from regeneration and the development of new housing, but it is important that this activity recognises and protects existing infrastructure, facilities and enterprises such as The Digital Hub and its member businesses and organisations.”

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