London

The Irish government and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are near to closing a deal that would create a $200 million research and teaching centre for information technology in Dublin, the first outpost of the US institutes Media Lab.

Securing a major new European research centre would be a coup for the Irish government. According to a government spokesperson, it has been investing heavily in educational technology in schools and colleges over the past few years to bring Ireland from the “third division to the premier division” in information technology.

The spokesperson confirms that negotiations have taken place over the past few months between the Irish Department of Education and Science and the MIT Media Lab, and describes these as “a recognition of where this country is going”.

The country's four universities are expected to be involved in the deal, although no decisions have been taken on how the interaction with them will work. Reports suggest that the new centre will focus on Internet applications, particularly e-commerce and technology in education, as well as providing research and business ‘incubation’. A number of MIT research staff would be expected to move to the centre, which would house up to 300 students, mostly postgraduates.

It is believed that the government has been asked for a commitment of $40 million towards the project. Its input will be balanced against its expectation that the centre will attract new industry to the country, particularly high-technology companies. Government officials are also said to be hoping that the centre will help ensure continued growth in the economy by meeting technology skills shortages. The Media Lab has declined to comment on the reports.