COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE
Monday, January 26, 2026
QUESTION NO. 7
QUESTION: Councillor K. Keane
"To ask the Chief Executive are there any plans to increase data centres in the Tallaght area due to reports in the business post saying Dublin is open for data centres due to government reversing its stance on data centres in Dublin?"
REPLY:
Planning applications for large scale energy users is set out in the County Development Plan under EDE7 Objective 2 as follows:
To require that space extensive enterprise demonstrates the following:
- The appropriateness of the site for the proposed use having regard to EDE7 Objective 1;
- Strong energy efficiency measures to reduce their carbon footprint in support of national targets towards a net zero carbon economy, including renewable energy generation;
- Maximise on site renewable energy generation to ensure as far as possible 100% powered by renewable energy, where on site demand cannot be met in this way, provide evidence of engagement with power purchase agreements in Ireland (PPA);
- Sufficient capacity within the relevant water, wastewater and electricity network to accommodate the use proposed;
- Measures to support the just transition to a circular economy;
- Measures to facilitate district heating or heat networks where excess heat is produced;
- A high-quality design approach to buildings which reduces the massing and visual impact;
- A comprehensive understanding of employment once operational;
- A comprehensive understanding of levels of traffic to and from the site at construction and operation stage;
- Provide evidence of sign up to the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact.
The Planning Authority will continue to assess data centre planning applications as they are lodged under this and other relevant policy in the County Development Plan.
It is noted that the government has recently published a Large Energy-User Plan (LEAP). The Executive Summary of this plan states:
‘This Large Energy-User Action Plan (LEAP) sets out the Government’s approach to planning for sustainable new energy intensive industrial developments. It prepares for a plan-led approach to the location of very large energy user (LEU) sectors, especially in the period beyond 2030, including through identifying green energy park locations. This will facilitate co-locating the most energy intensive industrial developments with indigenous renewable energy supply.’
The LEAP and the document entitled ‘An Economic Assessment of Green Energy Park Concepts’ prepared on behalf of the government, will be reviewed by the Planning Department in consultation with the Economic Department. It is noted that the LEAP is focused on the period beyond 2030 and as such the planning department’s review will feed into the preparation of the next CDP to ensure that SDCC policy remains consistent with evolving government policy.