Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
321. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the timeline for the next national cyber security centre's SME cybersecurity outreach programme; and when sector-specific briefings will commence. [72746/25]
View answerIn line with commitments made in the Programme for Government, The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) transferred to my Department from the Department of the Environment, Communications and Climate on 2 June 2025. The primary role of the NCSC is to monitor, detect and respond to cyber security incidents of all types in the State, and to build cyber resilience.
Between 2024 and 2025, the National Cyber Security Centre successfully initiated and ran a pilot grants scheme, cofunded with the EU under the Digital Europe Programme, to support cyber security resilience in the SME sector. Over €1.8m was awarded to 51 SMEs. The pilot scheme has resulted in increased cyber security for the beneficiaries of the scheme and has stimulated the cyber security services sector.
The NCSC was granted funding under the National Development Plan to further develop supports for SMEs, and an extended support scheme will be launched in 2026 – the precise timing for the launch of this scheme remains to be decided. The goal of this scheme will be to further improve resilience and cyber security across the country, providing financial support to SMEs to implement cyber security improvements, or remediations, to their existing technological infrastructure, or governance and skills frameworks.
Alongside this, the NCSC will continue to work with the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), to deliver targeted incidence preparedness and response actions for NIS2 obliged entities, implementing its mandate as derived from the Cyber Solidarity Act.
As part of the national Cyber Security Co-Ordination and Response Network Project (CyberCORE, a €3.3m three year EU co-funded programme), the NCSC will be shortly launching an SME CORE website. This website will serve as a centralised resource for all SMEs in the state. This site will contain guidelines, advice and video content on cyber security hygiene and best practice for SMEs.
A risk assessment tool will be available to assist SMEs in pinpointing the three most critical areas of cybersecurity that need their focus. In addition, SMEs will be able to ask a specific cyber question and receive a tailored answer using an ‘Ask the Expert’ form.
