An Estimate of £28.5 million has been provided by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for IDA building operations. Most of this will go towards the building of a high-speed telecoms cable in a public/private partnership with Global Crossing, the US telecoms company. The 25 gigabit-per-second pipeline, connecting the State with the US and the rest of Europe, is being built by Global Crossing and is expected to cost £60 million.
The Department has given an Estimate of £2 million for the cost of running the new Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, expected to be operational early in the new year with a staff of about 30.
The Estimate put in for the Science and Technology Development programme has more than doubled, from £26 million in the current year to £60 million, reflecting an increased focus on research and development.
