PBP to propose data centre levy to fund energy credit

People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett has said his party will introduce a private member's motion proposing a levy on data centres and use the revenue it raises to fund energy credits for households.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Boyd Barrett said the motion will propose that data centres pay the same levy as households, which would raise around €1.5 billion.

"The proliferation of data centres is massively increasing the cost of energy for people, electricity.

"They're hoovering up now about a quarter of the electricity in this country and that's driving up prices," Mr Boyd Barrett said.

CSO figures from 2025 showed that data centres used 23% of total metered electricity consumption.

"We're proposing they pay the same rate as householders and that will raise €1.5bn."

Mr Boyd Barrett said this money could then be used "to give everybody in the country the energy credit that the Government denied them of €500".

"But we're also going to give €500 to every household where there's a disability, which is a million households and that will be paid for by taxing the data centres who are driving up the price of electricity.

"And of course, the companies that own them are making absolute obscene profits.

"So that is a fair way to address the energy and cost of living crisis that is impacting so many, particularly those with disabilities, but working people generally."

Sinn Féin, Soc Dems have not responded to PBP 'left alliance' enquiries - Boyd Barrett

Mr Boyd Barrett also said People Before Profit has "emailed" Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats regarding a potential "left alliance".

However, he added that both parties have not responded to People Before Profit’s enquiries.

"We have argued, more than anybody else, that there should be a left alliance and that there's a historic opportunity, and necessity, in this country to replace Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

"I'm in favour of a left government and that means making alliances with other people of similar policies; that doesn't mean I endorse everything Sinn Féin or any of those parties do, but and I see my job as a socialist to put pressure on those parties," he said.

Mr Boyd Barrett added: "Several times we've emailed them asking to meet all of those parties and we don't get much of a response."