PBP to propose data centre levy to fund energy credit

People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett announced his party's intention to introduce a private member's motion proposing a levy on data centres. The proposed levy would use the revenue raised to fund energy credits for households. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Boyd Barrett highlighted that the cost of energy for people is being significantly impacted by the proliferation of data centres, which currently consume around a quarter of total electricity in the country.

According to CSO figures from 2025, data centres use 23% of the total metered electricity consumption.

Boyd Barrett emphasized that the proposed levy would tax data centres at the same rate as households, generating approximately €1.5 billion in revenue. This money would then be used to provide every household in the country with an energy credit of €500. Additionally, the motion also proposes to give €500 to every household with a disability, totaling a million households, which would be funded by taxing the data centres responsible for the rising electricity prices.

Boyd Barrett pointed out that the companies owning these data centres are making substantial profits, making this a fair approach to addressing the energy and cost of living crisis currently affecting many, particularly those with disabilities and working people.

Furthermore, Boyd Barrett mentioned that he has emailed Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats regarding a potential left alliance. However, neither party has responded to People Before Profit's inquiries. Despite this, he reiterated his support for a left government and his belief in forming alliances with other parties sharing similar policies. He emphasized that his role as a socialist is to put pressure on these parties to pursue a more socialist agenda.