Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) has announced plans to put in place a high definition production facility as part of the Midas Initiative to promote digital media in the east border region.
The production facility, scheduled to be fully operational by January 2005, will be fitted out with a high definition editing system, a green screen studio and audio recording equipment. The facility is being set up in the P.J. Carrolls Building on the DKIT campus.
It is hoped that having a post production facility in Dundalk will act as the central hub for research and enterprise support and will help the development of a cluster of creative and digital media industries in the east border area. Project director Irene Monaghan commented: “We are delighted with the establishment of this facility which will be of great benefit to the region.”
The Midas scheme is intended to foster small and medium enterprises focusing on creative and digital media technology and to encourage cross-border co-operation between them, which in turn could lead to growth in international markets. The project is a joint initiative by the Dundalk Institute of Technology, University of Ulster and Dream Ireland Ltd. It is expected to create 45 jobs and is backed by a fund of €2.3m. The funding comes from a variety of sources including the EU’s INTERREG IIIA Programme, the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) and the private sector.
By Gordon Smith
