Minister of State with special responsibility for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment, Emer Higgins, has visited the new Government Data Centre at Backweston, County Kildare.

The construction project, which began in 2023, was completed in July 2025 and was delivered on time and on budget.

The new building was developed as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) under the European Union's recovery plan, NextGenerationEU. It is designed to provide secure operations that will future-proof the reliable delivery of essential digital services to the public. Work on the internal fit-out is progressing and is due to be completed by the end of the year, with the migration of services scheduled to begin in early 2026.

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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.

"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. This state-of-the-art facility will give State bodies the ICT infrastructure they need to work more efficiently, streamline processes, reduce duplication and bring greater consistency to how public services are delivered.

"It will be operational from 2026 onwards, marking a significant step forward in our digital transformation journey, delivering on commitments in the Programme for Government and ultimately helping us to provide better public services to the people of Ireland. I welcome this important progress."