The Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) has agreed with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications that the Digital Hub campus in Dublin will remain available to companies beyond June 2022, pending the redevelopment of the campus by the Land Development Agency (LDA).
The DHDA said it expected to be hosting tenant companies until at least 2025, but that this timeline will be monitored in conjunction with the LDA. As well as being open to lease extensions for existing tenants, it may add new tenants during this period.
DHDA chief executive Fiach Mac Conghail said he was “delighted” to announce the extension.
“Our tenant companies have certainty, and we can attract new companies across all sectors to our campus. This is a sensible approach that will ensure space isn’t lying vacant whilst the long-term master plan for the future of the site is developed.”
‘Disappointment’
There was disappointment in April when the department said the Digital Hub, which was established in 2003 and was home to 31 technology companies, was “no longer required” and would be shut down as the area is redeveloped for social and affordable housing.
But this will take "a number of years" to plan and implement, according to Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan.
The DHDA said its new agreement with the department enabled the campus to remain open in the intervening period and would allow for an orderly winding down of the agency.
The DHDA will also continue its extensive community and social programmes next year alongside its other operations, it said.
“The Government remains committed to the regeneration of the Liberties area of Dublin and this arrangement will assist the LDA to deliver a transformative project for the area that is supportive of the Government’s Housing for All strategy,” Mr Ryan said.
