Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
303. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment following the announcement by a company (details supplied) that it plans to cut up to 350 jobs in Ireland, if his Department has examined the risk that data centres could play a role in job losses in the tech sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40936/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recent launch of Government’s Digital and AI strategy, Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future, reflects our continued ambition to harness the full potential of digital and AI technologies to drive productivity, support economic growth, and deliver modern, efficient public services.
Data centres are central to this ambition, as they form part of the critical infrastructure required for our digital economy to thrive. Their presence strengthens Ireland’s position as a strategic international location for enterprise activity, particularly in the ICT, financial services, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Research commissioned by my Department estimates that approximately 20,000 jobs were linked to the construction and operation of data centres in 2024 in Ireland. However, their wider economic importance is significantly greater, underpinning core activities across a broad range of sectors in Ireland.
On that basis, it is clear that data centres are key enablers of employment across our economy.
In relation to the matter raised by the Deputy, decisions taken by individual companies regarding employment levels are typically driven by a range of global commercial and strategic factors, including changes in business models, technological developments, and international market conditions. There is no evidence available to my Department to suggest that data centres are contributing to job losses in the technology sector.
The Government will continue to engage closely with enterprise to support employment, while ensuring that Ireland remains an attractive location for investment and innovation in a rapidly evolving global digital economy.
