Minister Mitchell O’Connor launches Digital Action Plan to transform Dún Laoghaire

Plan to future proof Dún Laoghaire as a leading hub for digital businesses

A ‘digital transformation plan’ has been launched for Dún Laoghaire to accelerate the town as a national hub for digital business, and create 450 technology jobs within two years.

The Action Plan was launched today by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor. The plan will see the opening of a co-working space for digital businesses, an innovation lab and unlock unused office space for technology businesses.

The plan, created by Digital Dún Laoghaire, is an initiative of Dún Laoghaire Business Improvement District (BID).

Dún Laoghaire Business Improvement District (BID) is an initiative designed to increase the footfall to Dún Laoghaire, to attract more businesses and to secure a long term sustainable model for the management of the town. BID represents over 800 businesses in the BID area.

In March, Digital Dún Laoghaire completed its first 12 months of outputs as captured in this infographic.

Launching Dún Laoghaire’s Digital Transformation today Minister Mitchell O’Connor said:

I congratulate Digital Dún Laoghaire on its plan to transform the town into the digital, creative and technology hub for the region.

With 56% of the labour force in the area comprising professional, managerial and technical workers, Dún Laoghaire is an ideal location for a digital cluster.

She added:

The town has excellent public transport links, a supportive County Council, strong buy-in from IADT and the backing of local businesses.

There are over 70 digital companies in the area and there is confidence in this initiative.

Dún Laoghaire BID and Digital Dún Laoghaire Chairman, Anthony Quigley, said the strategy is to ensure that Dún Laoghaire continues to be one of Ireland’s most progressive and entrepreneurial towns.

As an established digital centre, we are in a position to attract both high growth SME’s and corporate organisations to base themselves here.

The goal of Digital Dún Laoghaire is to expand this into a digital hub – and bring with it employment, innovation and urban renewal.

He added:

Existing companies have already forecast that they can create in excess of new 450 jobs in the next two years. These initiatives can future proof the town in terms of enterprise and employment.

On-going initiatives in Dún Laoghaire include:

–  Free broadband throughout the town

–  A digital co-working space to open in May

–  Monthly digital and tech meetups

–  Regular updates for members

DLR Summit: Digital Transformation Conference

DLR Summit is taking place the 8th June 2017 in the Pavilion Theatre in the heart of Dún Laoghaire and. The Summit is a headline conference on the topic of Digital Transformation. The conference brings together business owners, entrepreneurs, innovators, creators and big thinkers for an amazing day of talks and networking. Main topics include Social Media, Data and Analytics, Cloud Computing and Digital Marketing.

CoderDojo Groups

Digital Dún Laoghaire Coder Dojo is a programming club for young people. At the Dojo, young people learn how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games, and explore technology in an informal and creative environment. Meetings take place every Monday night from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Starbucks in Dún Laoghaire (beside Nandos).

If you would like to have your company featured in the Irish Tech News Business Showcase, get in contact with us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie or on Twitter: @SimonCocking