New Connections - Department of Taoiseach

UpdateFunding allocated to Webworks was €1.7m in 2003, €6.0m in 2004 and €2.3m in 2005according to current estimates. This flexible, highly wired office and managementset-up is expected to come on-stream in Galway, Cork, Sligo, Waterford and Limerick inearly to mid-2004.The first phase of the Digital Hub is underway and includes public sector investment of€130 million from the Irish government.(4.3) The Digital HubThe Digital Hub (www.thedigitalhub.com) will provide:CMNR• Start-up facilities for early stage, fast growth and established companies to undertakeR&D into digital industries• The Digital Hub Development Agency Bill will be progressed during 2002 to providea statutory basis for Digital Media Development Ltd.• Dublin City Council to have the necessary telecommunications infrastructure for theHub in place by mid 2002UpdateA Public Private Partnership is underway on the Digital Hub. Four consortia have beenshort listed for invitation to tender. Subject to planning permission, construction work isexpected to start in early 2004. The Guinness Print Depot will be available as a workingunit by mid 2003.The Digital Hub Development Agency Bill has been passed by the Seanad and will nowproceed to the Dáil.Construction of 3km high-speed broadband fibre network was completed by DublinCity Council. The Network Operations Centre is due for completion in March 2003.(4.4) e-Procurement AwarenessETEEnterprise Ireland has established a key e-procurement action within its National LinkageProgramme:• to work with major OEMs and their Irish suppliers, to establish electronic tradingbetween them34