The newly constructed Government Data Centre in Backweston, County Kildare, was officially visited yesterday (August 13) by Minister of State for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment, Emer Higgins.

The construction project was delivered by Duggan Brothers in partnership with Designer Group on behalf of the Office of Public Works (OPW). The building was completed in July 2025, having begun in 2023, and was delivered on time and on budget. Work is progressing on the internal fit-out, which is due to be completed by the end of the year.

Speaking about the new Government Data Centre, Minister Higgins said: "The Backweston shared Government Data Centre is a fantastic example of how NextGenerationEU funding is delivering real, tangible results. This complex build was completed on time and on budget, which is a testament to the skill and dedication of everyone involved.

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"It will harness the latest and most efficient technologies to ensure that vital Government data is stored in a secure and energy-efficient way, meeting the Government's technology and energy-saving requirements both now and into the future."

Appointed as CSA partner, Duggan Brothers managed the construction of this high-spec, two-storey facility spanning over 5,400m², with an additional 2,800m² of external plant space. The building comprises three key elements, including data halls, admin offices, client MV rooms, transformer and fibre meet-me rooms and an ESB substation (3MVA).

To the rear, a two-storey screened external plant structure with stairways and gangways integrates seamlessly with internal plant rooms, ensuring operational efficiency and resilience. A surrounding service road provides 360° access for maintenance.

Scope also included full site development works: hard landscaping, boundary treatment, and all ancillary infrastructure. This complex project was delivered to the highest standards of safety, performance, and quality—supporting critical operations well into the future.

The state-of-the-art building was developed as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) under the European Union’s recovery plan, NextGenerationEU. It will provide secure operations that will future proof the reliable delivery of essential digital services to the public. Once the fit-out is complete, the migration of services to the new facility is scheduled to begin in early 2026. 

Photo credit: Duggan Brothers.