Written Answers Nos. 150-170
150. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Transport if he will identify any projects which a body under the aegis of his Department has underway with CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for AI; if he will send this question to the bodies for direct response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18404/25]
View answerNoting the relevance of the Deputy's question to the bodies under the aegis of my Department, I have referred this question to them for a direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please advise my private office.
151. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Transport if he will specify the specific policy areas where the Department is examining future use of AI; if he will identify what entities the Department is working with, public or private, in relation to this examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18421/25]
View answerMy Department is not currently examining the future use of AI in relation to specific policy areas. A free version of Microsoft Copilot has been made available to all staff and is being assessed under strict controls. Further AI use cases may be explored in the year ahead but these projects will focus on analytics type data work rather than on policy areas directly.
152. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Transport if he will identify any AI training offered to people working in the Department; the level of take-up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18438/25]
View answerMy Department recognises the importance of building future readiness and has offered AI training to staff through short courses provided by the Institute of Public Administration ("AI Essentials" and "AI Masterclass").
The "AI Essentials" course provides an understanding of the fundamentals of AI as well as its potential and implications. It aligns with the public service transformation strategy "Better Public Services" which aims to enhance service delivery though technology and digitisation.
The "AI Masterclass" course is designed for senior leaders who wish to developed their knowledge of AI and explore its strategic potential in crafting policy for, and delivering services to, the public.
To date, one iteration of each course has been made available to staff and all spaces available to my Department were filled.
153. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Transport if he will detail how many physical letters the Minister’s offices and the customer service team in the Department received from the public in 2024; whether those letters are digitised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18463/25]
View answer154. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Transport if he will detail how many emails the Minister’s offices and the customer service mailbox the Department received from the public in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18480/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 154 together.
My Department administers a diverse and complex brief, including the oversight of agencies such as the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. This includes policy development and funding of public transport, roads, aviation, maritime transport as well as promoting sustainable mobility.
My Department has a central role in implementing major infrastructure commitments outlined in the Programme for Government including projects such as Metrolink, BusConnects, Connecting Ireland and the funding of our national road network. It also has responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard which coordinates maritime search & rescue operations along our coastline. As such, a significant number of emails and letters were received by my Department from the public in 2024.
My private office scans physical letters into PDF format and uses a customer query management platform called eCorrespondence which lists case numbers for each representation made to my private office ensuring relevant exchanges are coordinated to address each query effectively, the number of which are listed in the table below.
|
Mailbox |
eCorrespondence 2024 |
Emails 2024 |
Letters 2024 |
|
Minister@transport.gov.ie |
5,421 |
*See note |
*See note |
|
MinisterofState@transport.gov.ie |
2,604 |
*See note |
*See note |
|
Info@transport.gov.ie |
N/A |
4,525 |
0 |
*The mailboxes of my private office received a significant volume of emails in 2024 which includes internal correspondence and does not reflect customer queries/representations accurately. The eCorrespondence data better reflects the number of representations from customers which includes a wide exchange of correspondence per query.
155. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Transport if he will detail whether any surveys have been carried out to estimate the amount of time taken up with administrative tasks where such time could be used more efficiently; if so, in which areas of the Department has this examination been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18497/25]
View answerMy Department has not conducted general surveys that would estimate the amount of time taken up with administrative tasks, where that time could be used more efficiently. One of the key Strategic goals, Organisational Excellence and Innovation, in the Department’s current Statement of Strategy, outlines the Department's commitment to innovation and improving its systems. This includes objectives such as building the Department's capacity in the areas of digital, data and technology, human resource allocation and project management. Intended outcomes include team and skill alignment with business objectives, and improved service delivery. The 2023-2025 Statement of Strategy, which is presently being revised, is accessible at www.gov.ie/en/publication/70e6d-statement-of-strategy-2021-2023/.
156. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the procurement for the electrification of bus depots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18499/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the electrification of public transport.
The Government is committed to the decarbonisation of the public transport sector in line with the Climate Action Plan. No new diesel-only buses have been purchased for urban public service obligation bus fleets since July 2019, as set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027. The transition to a zero-emission urban bus fleet is currently programmed to take up until 2035, based on replacement of non-zero-emission buses as they reach the end of their efficient service lives.
Electric buses produce no tailpipe emissions and offer reduced interior and exterior noise levels compared to diesel buses. This transition to electric buses will help provide in cleaner air and less noise pollution in areas where the buses are operating, while also providing a quieter journey for passengers.
Charging points in bus depots and electric buses have started rolling out in recent years. In January 2023, the first full electrification of a town bus service was launched in Athlone under our Pathfinder Programme, paving the way for a similar transition in other services across Ireland. There are over 100 double-deck electric buses operating in service in Dublin and 34 electric buses in service in Limerick. Further electric buses will continue to roll out on an incremental basis over the coming years.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
157. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Programme for Government commitments to make the planning system more efficient for delivery of major transport infrastructure that would help reduce carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18500/25]
View answerMeasures to make the planning system more efficient for delivery of infrastructure are primarily a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who has responsibility for the overall development of national planning policy and legislation.
From a transport policy perspective, more integrated land use and transport planning, including transport orientated development, is a key objective in a number of national policies, including the National Planning Framework. As planning and development are interdependent, the integration of land uses with access to transport has cross-cutting benefits in terms of achieving compact patterns of development, facilitating increased densities in accessible locations, and enabling the transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society by encouraging sustainable mobility, the transition to electric vehicles, and active travel initiatives.
One of the ten goals of the National Sustainable Mobility Policy is to better integrate land use and transport planning at all levels to support the National Strategic Outcomes of the National Planning Framework relating to compact growth, sustainable mobility and transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society. As per Climate Action Plan 2023, improvements to our Public Transport services and infrastructure, including delivery of major transport infrastructure, all have the potential to increase the modal share of public transport and reduce overall car dependency, and will play a key role in reducing emissions from the transport sector. The Climate Action Plan 2024 also highlights the importance of embedding transport orientated development (TOD) at all stages of planning and development,
In line with this, the Programme for Government 2025 commits to supporting the development of transport orientated development(TOD), as necessary, to enable the better integration of land use and transport planning at all levels.
This commitment is supported by the joint working group established under the Government’s Housing for All plan to consider opportunities for TOD in major urban centres in December 2021. The group comprises membership from both the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of Transport, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Land Development Agency (LDA). The working group published a report on TOD opportunities in Dublin in June 2023 and reports on Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and the Eastern Region are at finalisation stage and will be brought to Cabinet shortly for information and publication thereafter.
This is supported at metropolitan level through the development and implementation of metropolitan area transport strategies. The strategies set out programmes of proposed transport investment in active travel, bus and rail for each metropolitan area over a 20-year period and they have been developed in line with the National Planning Framework and the regional spatial and economic strategies. This approach provides the necessary evidence-based and plan-led framework that can guide investment in the five cities over the short, medium and longer term.
158. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Finance if there is an increase or a proposed increase in VRT for full electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18163/25]
View answer159. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Finance if there is an increase or a proposed increase in VRT for plug in hybrid vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18164/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.
Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) reliefs for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles expired on 31 December 2020.
VRT category A and B vehicles which are powered only by an electric motor and registered before 31 December 2025 are eligible for relief from VRT up to a maximum amount of €5,000. Vehicles with an Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) of up to €40,000 are granted relief of up to €5,000. Vehicles with an OMSP of greater than €40,000 but less than €50,000 receive a reduced level of relief. Reliefs have been removed for any electric vehicles above €50,000. Series production electric motorcycles are exempt from VRT until 31 December 2025.
In relation to the question of whether there is an increase or a proposed increase in VRT for full electric vehicles or plug in hybrid vehicles, the Deputy will be aware this is a matter which will be considered in the context of the annual Budgetary cycle which includes the presentation of policy options to the Tax Strategy Group. The consideration of policy options takes account of a wide range of issues including climate action commitments, social policy and economic impacts. Tax Strategy Group papers will be published online following their presentation to the Tax Strategy Group.
160. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance the new measures, he plans to put in place in the case of lost revenue given that Trump and the US administration has imposed 20% tariffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18141/25]
View answerLet me begin by saying that we deeply regret the imposition of tariffs by the US administration. Tariffs are economically destructive; they drive up the cost of doing business, put upward pressure on prices for consumers, all the while creating uncertainty for investment and future growth.
Regarding the specific measures announced on April 2nd, it is important to note that there remains uncertainty surrounding the degree to which the measures will be permanent and what the EU and global response will be. We will continue to work with the urgency that is required to assess how these specific announcements will impact various sectors across the Irish economy, as well as the potential impacts on the public finances.
It should be noted that widespread tariffs are just the latest tool used in the ongoing trend toward de-globalisation, a consideration that Government has had at the centre of its policy agenda for some time now.
Indeed, I have repeatedly highlighted the inherent risks associated with the windfall element of our corporation tax receipts and the importance of ensuring that these receipts are not used to fund day-to-day expenditure. That is why the establishment of the Future Ireland Fund and the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund, funded from these windfall receipts, are so important.
This is a time of considerable international uncertainty. Government is determined to protect our economy, support and protect jobs, and keep our public finances safe. Government will evaluate what steps are necessary to do this, but we need to avoid doing anything that has such a cost that it in turn could create other difficulties down the line. In other words, the policy response needs to be sustainable over the medium-term.
It is important to stress that we are approaching the challenges ahead from a position of strength because of the careful management of our public finances: it is now more important than ever that we maintain a balanced and sustainable approach to fiscal policy.
161. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Finance the correct and fair treatment of unpaid maternity leave in SCSB calculations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18218/25]
View answer162. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Finance if he is a policy review to ensure maternity-related earnings are treated equitably in redundancy tax exemptions.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18219/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.
The Standard Capital Superannuation Benefit (SCSB) is a relief from income tax arising from a lump sum payment connected with the termination of an employment. SCSB is computed at 1/15th of a taxpayer’s average annual pay for the last 36 months in employment. Annual pay in this regard means pay from the employer and does not include any benefits paid by the Department of Social Protection in the previous 36 months, for example, maternity benefit.
In cases where unpaid leave is taken and where there was no salary for a number of weeks in the previous 36 months, an individual is allowed to add other weeks (i.e. weeks from months 37, 38 or 39, etc.) when calculating the average salary over the last three years of continued service. Examples of such periods would include unpaid maternity leave, unpaid paternity leave and unpaid parental leave. This may provide for a higher level of income tax relief under the SCSB that would otherwise be available.
In relation to what the Deputy refers to as redundancy tax exemptions, statutory redundancy payments made under the Redundancy Payments Acts are exempt from income tax. However, ex-gratia payments received on leaving employment may be chargeable to tax under Schedule E, i.e., through the PAYE system. Section 123 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997) provides for the general tax treatment of payments on retirement or removal from office or employment.
Where an ex-gratia payment is chargeable to tax under Schedule E by virtue of section 123 TCA 1997, the payment may qualify for exemption from tax under section 201 TCA 1997 as follows:
1) Tax free basic exemption - a tax free amount of €10,160, plus €765 per complete year of service.
2) Tax free increased basic exemption - the basic exemption amount may be increased by an additional €10,000, which is available where an individual has not claimed any exemptions under section 201 TCA 1997 in the previous 10 years and is not a member of an occupational pension scheme.
3) Tax free SCSB - this is calculated as outlined above.
The calculation of income tax relief available to an individual in receipt of a termination lump sum payment through either the tax free basic exemption or the tax free increased basic exemption is not impacted by a period of maternity leave prior to the employment being terminated.
The exemptions available under section 201 TCA 1997 are subject to a lifetime limit of €200,000 and the individual may apply whichever of the three exemptions is more beneficial to them.
The Revenue website sets out further information on the tax treatment of lump sum termination payments in the hands of the employee, and that information is accessible at:
www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/lump-sum-payments/index.aspx.
Further information is available in Revenue’s Tax and Duty Manual Part 05-05-19 Payments on Termination of an Office or Employment or Removal from an Office or Employment at www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-05/05-05-19.pdf.
163. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Finance if he considers that the deemed disposable rule is a disincentive to investment; if he plans any changes in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18240/25]
View answerFinance Act 2000 introduced the gross roll-up taxation regime for investments in domestic funds and life policies. The general thrust of the regime is that there is no annual tax on income or gains arising within the investment. However, exit tax must be deducted on the occurrence of a “chargeable event”, which originally included –
- the making of relevant payments,
- the redemption of the investment, and
- the transfer by an investor of their investment.
Finance Act 2006 introduced the eight-year deemed disposal requirement for all investments that benefited from the gross roll-up regime. This was introduced as a new category of ‘chargeable event’, designed specifically to prevent the avoidance of tax by way of indefinite deferral of tax.
In October 2024, my predecessor published the ‘Funds Sector 2030: A Framework for Open, Resilient & Developing Markets’, a wide-ranging review of the funds and asset management sector. The Report arising from the Review sets out a series of recommendations to ensure that, in pursuit of continued growth in the funds and asset management sector, Ireland’s funds sector framework remains resilient, future-proofed, supportive of financial stability and a continued example of international best-practice. Recommendations 22 and 23 include consideration of the removal of the eight-year deemed disposal requirement for Irish domiciled funds and life products.
The 2025 Programme for Government has committed to progress and publish an implementation plan taking into consideration the Funds Review recommendations to unlock retail investment and opportunities to grow this sector in Ireland. Recognising the complexities within the current regime for the average retail investor, my officials are reviewing options for measures that could be taken to assist with retail participation in capital markets. This work will also take account of developments at an EU level in respect of the Savings Investment Union.
164. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Finance the measures being taken to address the taxation issues affecting the GP Care for All initiative, particularly concerning the Summerhill practice in Dublin’s north inner city, which is at risk of closure in June 2025 if a sustainable financial solution is not found; the measures being considered to ensure the continued provision of general practitioner services to the 2,600 medical-card patients currently served by this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18243/25]
View answerMy Department, the Department of Health and Revenue have, for some time, been aware of issues which arose from contractual arrangements within the General Practitioner (GP) community whereby some GPs treat income under their General Medical Services (GMS) contract as income of a GP practice in which they are a partner or an employee, rather than income of that individual GP.
In accordance with Section 58 of the Health Act 1970, a GMS contract is between the HSE and an individual GP. This means that, as a matter of law, income under a GMS contract belongs to the GP who entered the contract with the HSE. The position does not change because a GP treats their GMS income as income of a medical practice.
Following on from that fact, there is no legal basis to treat income arising under a GMS contract entered into between an individual GP and the HSE as if it were income arising under a contract between the HSE and the medical practice in which the GP is an employee, as is the case in respect of the GPCareForAll model.
A GP who holds a GMS contract is, therefore, a chargeable person as regards income arising under that contract and should report such income under the self-assessment system. The GP is also the specified person for the purposes of Professional Services Withholding Tax (PSWT), which means they are entitled to claim a credit for PSWT deducted by the HSE on GMS payments.
This treatment was confirmed by a decision of the Tax Appeals Commission (TAC) in 2022. This is available to review on the TAC website here: www.taxappeals.ie/en/determinations, and by searching for reference 01TACD2022. I have attached a copy for ease of reference.
Following this decision, and to clarify the correct tax treatment of GMS income under tax legislation, Revenue issued a guidance note to tax practitioners through the Tax Administration Liaison Committee in July 2023. Revenue published supplementary guidance on this matter on 10 November 2023.
Although the guidance was widely reported as a tax change, it did not, in fact, introduce a change to the tax treatment of GPs. Instead, it simply clarified the legal and administrative position under existing law.
To allow GPs and medical practices time to make any necessary adjustments to their arrangements to comply with the law, the guidance confirmed that Revenue would, as regards certain arrangements, delay enforcing strict adherence to the correct legal position until 1 January 2024. That period has not been extended. A GP who holds a GMS contract, as a chargeable person as regards income arising under that contract, should, from 1 January 2024, report such income under the self-assessment system. The exception to this is a GP to whom section 1008A of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 applies.
Finance (No. 2) Act 2023 inserted section 1008A into the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The section provides that, where individual GPs enter contracts with the HSE to provide certain medical services and provide those services in the conduct of a partnership profession with other individual GPs, the income from those services can be treated for income tax purposes as that of the partnership where a joint election is made. Revenue guidance has been updated to take account of this: www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-04/04-01-15.pdf.
Section 1008A TCA has been effective since 1 January 2024. When the provision was introduced in the Dáil during Report Stage of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2023, the then Minister for Finance noted that it is expected to resolve some, but not all, of the issues arising.
The section only applies in the case of individual doctors who operate in partnerships with other individual doctors. It does not apply to, or change, the tax situation for doctors who are employees of a corporation or other arrangements, such as in respect of the business referenced by the Deputy. It is also limited only to income arising from GMS and certain ancillary medical services income.
It should be noted that because there are a number of business arrangements and models in the GP sector, including partnerships, companies, employees and employers, it would not be appropriate for tax legislation to seek to accommodate all contracts and business practices in the sector. While I am conscious of the difficulties being experienced by GP practices, I must be cognisant of existing legislation, contract law and the Minister for Health’s remit in respect of the surrounding policy.
As the core issue concerns the contractual arrangements between GPs and the HSE, the matter has been referred to the Minister for Health for consideration. I would note that the Department of Health and the HSE have advised that they highly value the work of GPCareForAll and that they are engaging with them on potential solutions to ensure that the practice can continue to deliver services on a sustainable footing and in line with all relevant legislative provisions, including existing tax law.
My officials are also continuing to consider this matter, as a priority, and I have asked them to keep me updated in relation to any developments.
165. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Airgeadais míniú a thabhairt maidir leis an bhfáth ar dhiúltaigh sé do leasú Uimh. 5 ar Chéim an Choiste den Bhille Airgeadais (Rochtain ar Bhonneagar Airgid Thirim a Sholáthar), 2024, toisc nár thug sé míniú le linn na díospóireachta sin; an mbeadh sé sásta rochtain ar bhonneagar airgid thirim a chinntiú do phobal labhartha na Gaeilge tríd an mBille a leasú ar Chéim na Tuarascála; agus an bhfuil sé i gceist aige aon ghníomh a ghlacadh chun rochtain ar bhonneagar airgid thirim trí Ghaeilge a fheabhsú. [18309/25]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, forálann Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 agus 2021 socrú chun seirbhísí poiblí trí mheán na Gaeilge a sholáthar ag comhlachtaí a fhorordaítear faoin gCéad Sceideal den Acht sin. Déantar é seo trí mheicníochtaí éagsúla, le haird ar leith á tabhairt ar cheantair Ghaeltachta, is iad sin:
• dualgais dhíreacha;
• dualgais de réir rialacháin;
• dátaí a shocrú faoina mbeidh seirbhísí agus oifigí Gaeltachta le soláthar/ag feidhmiú trí Ghaeilge;
• cur i bhfeidhm an chéad Phlean Náisiúnta do Sheirbhísí Poiblí Gaeilge riamh agus Pleananna Gníomhaíochta gaolmhara atá le teacht;
• Caighdeáin Teanga a thabhairt isteach in ionad Scéimeanna Teanga.
Ba chóir a thabhairt faoi deara gur faoi chomhlachtaí forordaithe ar leith é comhlíonadh Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla.
I gcomhthéacs UMBanna, atá faoi úinéireacht phríobháideach, cuireann go leor UMBanna rogha na n-idirbheart i nGaeilge ar fáil cheana féin agus is coitianta éagsúlacht roghanna teanga eile a fheiceáil freisin.
Cé gur chuaigh an díospóireacht ag Céim an Choiste ar an mBille leis an Aire Stáit níos faide ná an leasú a bhí molta, níl sé soiléir cén tionchar a bheadh ag duaglas den sórt sin a leagan ar UMBanna faoi úinéireacht phríobháideach, go háirithe meaisíní oidhreachta níos sine i gceantair le húsáid íseal. Tá impleachtaí i dtéarmaí costais agus soláthar seirbhíse ag baint le hathchlárú meaisíníníos sine , agus tá an baol ann go mbainfí UMBanna chun cloí lena leithéid de riachtanas teanga. Dá spreagfadh ceanglas den sórt sin an gá le UMBanna malartacha a shuiteáil, níl aon ráthaíocht ann go mbeadh UMBanna nua sna láithreacha céanna. D’fhéadfadh bearnaí neamhchinntithe sa tseirbhís teacht chun cinn mar thoradh ar an athrú ó UMB amháin go ceann eile, fiú má athshuiteáiltear UMB san áit chéanna. Dréachtaíodh forálacha an Bhille go cúramach chun cothromaíocht a aimsiú idir costais agus ualach riaracháin, chomh maith leis an sprioc beartais rochtain ar airgead tirim a chinntiú.
Tá ceist níos leithne beartais le breithniú freisin. An tionchar a bhaineann le leasú den sórt sin a ghlacadh ná oibleagáid agus costas breise a fhorchur ar eintitis shonracha san earnáil phríobháideach, agus bheadh fadhbanna bainte le ceann amháin de na soláthróirí seirbhíse ar leith a roghnú, mar go leagfadh sé sin fasach leathan do raon soláthraithe seirbhíse eile. Ina theannta sin, téann an dualgas molta thar cheanglais Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, a chuireann teorainn lena scóip do chomhlachtaí poiblí.
Toisc gur ceist í soláthar seirbhísí príobháideacha trí Ghaeilge a bhfuil impleachtaí forleathana aici, is ceist beartais í seo don Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus don Ghaeltachta.
166. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the steps his Department is taking to improve data collection and database construction in anticipation of the increased data processing capacity that artificial intelligence adoption entails; if he will outline the logic behind their approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18359/25]
View answerICT services for my department are provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR).
The OGCIO have confirmed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications are looked at in the context of their wider data governance approach where data is viewed and treated as a strategic asset.
Ireland’s Data Governance Board was established in 2021 (under the Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019) to assist the Public Service in positioning Ireland as a leader in the field of data governance. The Board’s exemplary work was highlighted by the OECD’s recognition of Ireland’s progress in the 2023 Digital Government Index which placed Ireland in the Top 3 countries for data driven public service.
The Data Governance Unit in the OOGCIO provides guidance and frameworks to Public Service Bodies (PSBs), for dealing with public data, including strong data governance and standards for underpinning data workflows as well as support on the use of the Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019. Ireland works to minimise duplication and waste by adopting the Once Only Principle so that individuals and businesses need supply the same information/data only once to PSBs; allowing for the automation and provision of services across the public sector including compliance with GDPR. The adoption of AI will continue to leverage the significant investments made in areas such as data governance, systems and integrated platforms to provide the capability to gather and generate large amounts of data. The OGCIO have advised that they will continue to build on what is working well and introduce further fit-for-purpose complimentary structures/services to increase the collection, use and re-use of data to maximise value for money and improve outcomes through the use of AI.
The OGCIO is currently developing the next Public Service Data Strategy 2025-2030 which will be an ambitious, implementation orientated strategy to address identified obstacles and respond to national and international trends, including AI. I am advised that the strategy will place an emphasis on advancing key initiatives to provide real impact for policy makers so that they can harness data to inform public policy, improve services and monitor public sector performance. The strategy is being delivered as one of several priorities for their department under Pillar 3 of Better Public Services – Evidence-informed policy and services designed for and with our public. The strategy will include actions to ensure a coherent, systemic approach to implementation of EU regulatory requirements including AI. Strong data governance with a focus on data quality, and the ethical use of data are key foundations for successful adoption of AI and this will be a key focus through the development of the next Public Service Data Strategy and its implementation over the coming years.
While each department is responsible for any database development and stewardship specific to the responsibility of the department, there is a duty to safeguard the data that is gathered and shared. Therefore, the OGCIO will continue to place a strong emphasis on their data governance and ethical frameworks when using AI, which will be built on their existing governance arrangements, much of which were brought about through the last Public Service Data Strategy.
167. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Finance if he will identify any projects which the Department has underway with CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for AI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18376/25]
View answerI can confirm for the Deputy that my department follows the Government approved Interim Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Public Service released in January 2024: www.gov.ie/en/publication/2127d-interim-guidelines-for-use-of-ai/. In addition, my department follows advice from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) released in June 2023.
I can confirm for the Deputy that my department currently does not have any projects underway or planned with CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for AI.
168. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Finance if he will identify any projects which a body under the aegis of his Department has underway with CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for AI; if he will send this question to the bodies for direct response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18394/25]
View answerI am advised that none of the bodies under the aegis of the Department have any projects underway with CeADAR.
169. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Finance if he will specify the specific policy areas where the Department is examining future use of AI; if he will identify what entities the Department is working with, public or private, in relation to this examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18411/25]
View answerI can confirm for the Deputy that my department follows the Government approved Interim Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Public Service released in January 2024: www.gov.ie/en/publication/2127d-interim-guidelines-for-use-of-ai/.
In doing so, the Government recognised the opportunities AI presents to help improve the delivery of public services to our citizens. These guidelines also established that AI tools used in the civil and public service must comply with seven key requirements for ethical AI. These fall under the headings of: human agency and oversight, technical robustness and safety, privacy and data governance, transparency, diversity, non-discrimination and fairness, societal and environmental well-being, and accountability. My department recognises the potential of AI and is monitoring developments in this area.
In addition, my department follows advice from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) released in June 2023. The NCSC guidance inter alia recommended that new technology should only be adopted based on a clearly defined business need following an appropriate risk assessment.
With regard to specific policy areas, I can confirm my department is currently conducting a joint research project with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) to examine the potential impacts of AI adoption on employment, household income, and income inequality in Ireland.
Furthermore, my department, in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (who are the policyholders of the National AI Strategy) have undertaken analysis to assess the impact of AI on the Irish labour market. In June 2024, the department published an 'AI: Friend or Foe?‘ series, examining this impact. This publication is available online at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/6538e-artificial-intelligence-friend-or-foe/.
170. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Finance if he will identify any AI training offered to people working in the Department; the level of take-up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18428/25]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department follows the Government approved Interim Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Public Service released in January 2024. In doing so, the Government recognised the opportunities AI presents to help improve the delivery of public services to our citizens.
The Department of Finance recognises the potential of AI and is monitoring developments in this area and is considering potential training needs and opportunities. To date members of my Department's HR Unit attended a short ‘AI in HR’ course. However, we have not yet offered formal AI training across the Department.
