Ironic that data centres are contributing to job cuts in the world’s data centre capital |
This week Meta announced that 350 jobs at its Irish subsidiary are under threat as part of a global restructuring that is expected to see the social media giant lay off approximately 10 per cent of its workforce.
Chief executive Mark Zuckerberg says 2026 is the year that artificial intelligence (AI) changes the way the company works, while investing close to €100 billion in AI infrastructure.
This news has led to renewed attention on Ireland’s exposure and reliance on US multinationals. It is more than ironic that data centres are contributing to the loss of jobs in Ireland’s tech sector, when Ireland has positioned itself as the data centre capital of the world. Data centres now account for 22 per cent of energy on the national grid; the closest country comparison is Singapore with 7 per cent.
What is the social pay-off that comes from organising our economic and environmental futures around the needs of multinational tech companies? The response from the Government will be that we all benefit from foreign direct investment (FDI). But with jobs at risk, a significant drain on resources, and a growing gap between Ireland’s corporate tax bonanza and people’s daily lives, the story is ringing hollow. To consider how we move forward, it’s helpful to understand how we got here.
Enoch Burke’s dismissal from Westmeath school confirmed amid end of appeals process
‘It was embarrassing for them’: Irish Army crew beats US military teams at their own game
Garda taped conversations with wife, put tracker on her phone and told her to stay at home
Home of the late D’Unbelievables comedian and........