Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 October 2025
193. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department is using the services of consultancy firms in setting up the new AI office; and if so, the amount spent on fees to consultancy firms to date. [54216/25]
View answerThe establishment of the AI Office of Ireland is a strategic initiative for my Department to act as the central co-ordinating body for the AI Act and provide a focal point for the promotion and adoption of transparent and safe AI in Ireland, to ensure that we fully capture the strategic opportunity that AI presents.
Detailed workplans are being developed to ensure the AI Office is in place by August 2026. The establishment of a new AI office is a discrete project which requires some specialist expertise to augment the skills and expertise available in the Department. Accordingly, where specialised knowledge is required, research and analysis has been commissioned which is informing the work of my officials. To date consultancy services to a value of €60,000 excluding VAT has been awarded.
