Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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56. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of reports that the IDA has commissioned an analysis into advance planning permission for future data centres; the name of the company commissioned for this task; the cost involved; when this report will be published; and if IDA vacant sites are being examined for possible use. [45590/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Earlier this year, IDA Ireland sought submissions from suitable service providers to undertake a study to identify potential strategic land banks in Ireland that would be suitable to accommodate the sustainable development of large scale Data Centre projects. Following this process Jacobs Engineering, supporting by AOS Planning, were appointed to produce this report.

The study, which will assist efforts to ensure that Ireland continues to be best placed to compete for, win and sustain data centre investments, is now approaching its final stages. The study will evaluate viable property options nationally that are both supported by the necessary infrastructure and able to meet the complex and evolving needs of data centre investments.

The study is for internal IDA Ireland purposes and is not intended for publication. Details on its cost have not been made publically available as they are commercially sensitive and could impact other tendering processes.

Over recent years, leading international technology and computing companies have announced significant data centre investments for Ireland and the IDA is committed to ensuring that this trend continues. The Agency, supported by other relevant key stakeholders, will continue to highlight credible and flexible property solutions that form part of the competitive value proposition for this sector.