Minister Lawless officially opens new Digital Media Building in the Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dún Laoghaire
-
Ó: An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 8 Bealtaine 2025
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless has opened the new Digital Media Building in the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT).
This building has delivered a state-of-the-art, four-storey facility spanning 7,208m², containing 19 state-of-the-art digital design studios, advanced computer laboratories, classrooms, seminar rooms, and the main campus restaurant. It will increase IADT’s student capacity by 590 students and will allow significant expansion in high-demand programmes such as design, 3D animation and visual effects, enterprise and technology.
Speaking at the opening, Minister Lawless said:
“The Digital Media Building represents not just a building, but our shared commitment to knowledge, creativity and innovation. It is an investment in current and future generations.
“This cutting-edge facility will house the Animation and Visual Design Communication labs, further strengthening IADT’s offering in the fields of Art, Design and Technology.
“This new building is the second of 11 projects to be developed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Programme, which is part of a broader vision to strengthen infrastructure in Ireland’s higher education sector.”
Construction of the Digital Media Building began in January 2023, and the building commenced service on 20 January 2025, following a 24-month construction period. This achievement reflects the government’s dedication to delivering high-quality, efficient projects that advance higher education in Ireland. Furthermore, the building supports the government's climate action targets by integrating sustainable design principles throughout its development.
Speaking at the official opening, David Smith, President of IADT, said:
“This state-of-the-art Digital Media Building represents a timely investment in IADT, Ireland’s campus for the creative industries, as we deliver on our 2024-28 Strategic Plan, Towards a University for the Creative Industries.
“The publication of the government’s Digital Creative Industries Roadmap in 2024 clearly underlines the great opportunities for the development of Ireland’s creative economy, especially in the identified growth areas of commercial design, digital games and content creation, including immersive technologies and virtual media production.
“These new facilities will allow us to increase places on existing programmes, and develop new programmes, for students who wish to gain the skills and experience they need to be creative leaders and innovators in these important and growing sectors of Ireland’s creative industries.”
Ciarán McCaffrey, Head of Capital Programmes at the HEA, said:
“The new Digital Media Building brings together state-of-the-art spaces, including design studios, classrooms and a new campus restaurant under one roof, and will support both teaching and learning while also providing a place for students and staff to connect and collaborate.”
Andrew O’Flanagan, Director of the NDFA, said:
“The completion of this large facility is great news for the students and staff of IADT and marks another important milestone in the delivery of new educational facilities through the higher education PPP Programme.
“It reflects a successful collaboration between the NDFA, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Higher Education Authority and IADT, in partnership with PPP Co. Enbarr Education, JJ Rhatigan, Sodexo and their supply chain partners.”
This project is being delivered under Project Ireland 2040 which recognises that investment in education is central to achieving a strong, future-proofed economy, balanced across the regions.
Notes
PPPs are a structured arrangement between the public and private sectors for the delivery of public infrastructure projects. These projects would otherwise be provided through traditional public sector procurement mechanisms where all construction expenditure is paid upfront by the department. The costs in the case of a PPP however, are paid by the department after construction is complete via monthly Unitary Charge spread over twenty five years. PPP projects are designed, built, financed, operated and maintained by the selected private investor over the twenty five years. At the end of the 25-year service period, the buildings will be handed back to the respective Higher Education Institutions in a pre-defined condition.