Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 March 2021
1. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of data centres that are currently operational and the number that are under consideration including pre-planning stage by county; the average number of long-term jobs a data centre creates; the job numbers in data centres by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12359/21]
View answerThe Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment does not collect or store the type of detailed information requested on data centre location, or their stage in the planning process.
There may be some scope for different definitions of what could be considered a data centre or multiple data 'halls' on particular sites might be counted. Nonetheless, it is clear that the vast majority of large 'hyperscale' or 'co-location'-type data centre developments are located in the greater Dublin area, with a small number operational or planned across Cork, Limerick, Meath and elsewhere.
While not all data centres are operated by multi-national firms, IDA Ireland has further advised me that it does not maintain a register of data centre locations. IDA Ireland point out that, when dealing with potential data centre investments, it promotes regional locations for those investments in line with the ‘Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy’. Recent examples of large data centre developments outside of Dublin include an Amazon project in Drogheda and Facebook’s project in Meath.
An analysis of the data centre sector in Ireland, including existing and planned data centres, is produced quarterly by industry groups BitPower and 'Host in Ireland'. The Deputy may find this a useful resource: https://bitpower.ie/index.php/dashboard
In terms of full-time permanent employment in the data centres themselves, it is estimated that data centres require between 30 and 50 well paid and secure direct jobs each in areas such as management, IT and systems engineers, mechanical and electrical maintenance and repair management. However around 20,000 direct jobs in the Irish economy are supported by those who operate large data centre infrastructure here. The wider technology sector in Ireland employs in excess of 150,000 people.
Data centres are an increasingly important part of the digital and communications sectors and are core infrastructure in the remote working and digital services economy. The transition to a digital economy is well underway. It is impacting all sectors of the economy, and Ireland is well positioned as a digital gateway to Europe. Data centres and the services they provide act as a 'hook' for further investment and job creation.
