Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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171. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of data centres in the State; and the location and size of each centre in tabular form. [14982/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment does not collect or store the type of detailed information requested on data centre location and size. 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 centres.

There may be some scope for different definitions of what types of server data storage locations could be considered a data centre, or how multiple data 'halls' on particular sites might be counted. Nonetheless, my understanding is that there are between 60 and 70 larger data centres nationally. 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.

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: