- The Irish Data Centre Supplier Alliance (IDCSA) has called for the development of dedicated “islanded utility” business parks to facilitate future FDI investment
- The IDCSA, with Tom Parlon as its first chair, represents Irish companies that operate within the data centre supply chain
Monday, 23rd February 2026
The Irish Data Centre Supplier Alliance (IDCSA) has called on the government to begin developing a number of islanded utility business parks in strategic locations.
The IDCSA is a new trade association formed to represent homegrown Irish companies that operate in the data centre supply chain. The establishment of the IDCSA comes following the publication of the new Large Energy User (LEU) policy in December 2025 by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was followed by the publication of the Large Energy User Action Plan (LEAP) by both the Department of Enterprise and the Department of Climate & Energy.
Recognising the current constraints in Ireland’s energy system, the IDCSA has said these large-scale campuses with utility-scale energy and water capacity developed on site will help the country to facilitate the next generation of FDI investment.
The former Director General of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and a former Minister of State in the Department of Finance, Tom Parlon has been named as the first chair of the IDCSA.
Speaking at the IDCSA’s official launch at Grange Castle Business Park, Dublin, he said:
“We’re standing in Grange Castle Business Park today for the launch of the IDCSA and it’s a fitting location. More than any other site, the Grange Castle Business Park is a shining example of what strategic forward planning by the state can achieve.”
“Over the last 20 years, this world class campus has attracted billions of euros in FDI investment and positioned Ireland as a global leader in digital infrastructure development. To restart digital infrastructure investment in Ireland, the government must prioritise the development of next generation business parks that meet the water and energy utility needs of large-scale projects,” Parlon added.
Representation
The IDCSA represents companies across planning, design, construction, mechanical & electrical engineering, energy management, automation and technical services that have benefited from data centre investment in Ireland.
It was established to advocate on behalf of its members, demonstrate the data sector’s value to the Irish economy, engage with policymakers to ensure government policy is practical and supportive of new investment, and to communicate how data centre investment supports economic activity and the growth of indigenous Irish firms.
“The growth of the data centre industry over the past 15 years has been one of the foundations of Ireland’s economic recovery since the financial crash. The sector has contributed over €20 billion through direct and indirect investment during that time, directly employing 1,800 people whilst supporting thousands more jobs across the Irish supply chain,” added Parlon.
“The IDCSA has been established to represent Irish companies that have benefited from the data centre industry, and to advocate for practical solutions to allow data centre investment flow once more.”
