Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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118. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the IDA has carried out a report on the volume of potential data centres that could be located here in view of the fact that a data centre (details supplied) development has not progressed; the number of centres indicated in the report; the geographic locations that have been identified to fill the demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18396/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Last year IDA Ireland appointed Jacobs Engineering, supported by AOS Planning, to identify potential strategic land banks in Ireland that would be particularly suitable for the development of data centre projects.

The study, which comprises a number of stages, is being undertaken to understand what locations in Ireland are best suited for this type of investment. It is evaluating all potentially viable land options that are compatible with the complex requirements of data centre investments. IDA Ireland also intends to review the suitability of locations identified for other foreign direct investment activities.

An evaluation of national sites, that is being undertaken as part this process, is now well advanced. I understand that Jacobs are currently completing the second phase of a review and are due to shortly present findings to the IDA. The Agency will then consider the next steps. As the study is for internal IDA Ireland purposes it is not intended for publication.