The Planning Authority assesses planning applications for data centre developments having regard to the capacity of existing and planned infrastructure to serve the proposed development. Consideration is given to the potential impact on electricity supply, water services, transport infrastructure and other supporting infrastructure, together with the views of relevant infrastructure providers and prescribed bodies.

Data centres are assessed against the policies and objectives of the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028. Policy EDE7 "Space Extensive Land Uses" sets out criteria against which such developments are assessed, including infrastructure and environmental considerations.

Under the EIA Directives, the most recent of which is Directive 2014/52/EU, certain public and private projects that are likely to have significant effects on the environment are required to go through the environmental assessment process. Part 2 of Schedule 5 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, sets out the types of development for which mandatory EIA is required. In addition, there is provision for sub-threshold development to be subject to EIA where proposed development is of a type listed in Part 2 of Schedule 5 but does not equal or exceed the threshold and it has been determined that the proposed development is likely to have a significant effect on the environment.

Depending on the scale and nature of the proposal, data centre developments may be subject to mandatory EIA, sub-threshold EIA screening or neither process, with each application assessed having regard to the requirements of planning and environmental legislation.

Environmental Impact Assessments examine potential impacts which address direct, indirect, secondary, cumulative, transboundary, short, medium and long term, permanent, temporary, positive and negative effects, as well as impact interactions. This includes consideration of a "Do Nothing" impact which describes the environment as it would be in the future if the development is not carried out. Environmental Impact Assessment may include consideration of cumulative effects on infrastructure, including electricity supply, water services, transport networks and other supporting infrastructure, having regard to existing, permitted and proposed development within the wider area.

The statutory responsibilities for water and electricity services lie with Uisce Éireann and ESB Networks/EirGrid. At planning application stage, applicants are required to demonstrate engagement with these bodies, including confirmation of feasibility of connection from Uisce Éireann. Such bodies are also typically consulted where relevant as part of the planning assessment process.

Further engagement with the relevant statutory bodies is required post-planning to confirm the detailed delivery and connection arrangements for water services and electricity infrastructure. In relation to electricity, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities published its Large Energy Users Connection Policy (CRU/2025236) in December 2025, which sets out the framework for considering grid connections for large energy users, including data centres.