Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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76. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will take steps to ensure that the IDA considers County Westmeath as an appropriate site for a data centre (details supplied) in the midlands in view of the fact that there are a number of viable locations in mid and north County Westmeath which could accommodate same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31825/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by IDA Ireland that it has appointed Jacobs Engineering to undertake a study to identify potential strategic land banks in Ireland that would be particularly suitable to accommodate the sustainable development of large scale Data Centre projects.

The study is being undertaken to ensure that all regions in Ireland, including Westmeath which is part of the Midlands Region, are best placed to win and sustain this type of investment.

The study will be conducted in a number of stages and will be focused on evaluating all potentially viable land options that are compatible with the complex and ever evolving needs of data centre investments.