Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
406. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department keeps a record of how much foreign investment was directed towards IDA- and Enterprise Ireland-supported companies in artificial intelligence-related activities; if he will provide a breakdown of these figures for each year since 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73812/25]
View answer407. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has modelled the amount of AI-related investment growth, FDI growth, and employment growth that Ireland will experience across different scenarios; if he will provide a breakdown of any such analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73813/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 406 and 407 together.
IDA Ireland’s 2025-29 strategy, Adapt Intelligently, published earlier this year, places a focus on partnering with the existing FDI base to retain and renew their Irish operations, alongside an emphasis on identifying new opportunities. The strategy was developed against a backdrop of developments that are reshaping the global FDI landscape including deglobalisation, digitalisation, and decarbonisation/sustainability and in the context of national policies, including the Programme for Government, Project Ireland 2040, and the Government’s White Paper on Enterprise.
The IDA strategy recognises AI and Digital as a key FDI growth driver that will cut across the core sectors of Technology; Content, Consumer and Business Services; International Financial Services; Pharmaceuticals; Medical Technologies and Engineering and the Green Economy. The targets set out in the strategy are based on extensive analysis and scenario planning related to the national, international, and sector-specific landscape. This included engagement with client companies, IDA teams in Ireland and overseas, my and other Government Departments, national and regional stakeholders, and external economic and FDI experts. Based on this analysis, IDA’s strategic objectives to 2029 are to:
• strengthen long-term investment;
• scale-cutting edge innovation;
• drive sustainable change; and
• maximise regional opportunities.
The strategy targets 1,000 investments to include:
• securing €7bn in new RD&I investment;
• delivering 550 regional investments from a TOTAL OF 1,000;
• reducing IDA client carbon emissions by 35%;
• creating 75,000 jobs and
• upskilling 40,000 people.
Across these growth drivers and within these sectors, IDA is targeting investment with AI-related activity including smart, sustainable manufacturing; intelligent, digitalised services; RD&I; high growth emerging companies; and future skills. Over the 2021 to 2024 period, AI had already become an increasing area of focus within investments won by IDA. This includes "new name" investment by emerging AI firms, in addition to AI related RD&I and talent development investment by IDA’s existing clients.
Total IDA Ireland investment, including AI/AI-related approvals per annum, 2021-2024
|
- |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
New Name |
104 |
103 |
83 |
69 |
|
Expansion |
87 |
89 |
67 |
56 |
|
RD&I |
43 |
37 |
46 |
64 |
|
Talent Development |
15 |
13 |
52 |
27 |
|
Green Capital |
- |
- |
- |
18 |
|
Total |
249 |
242 |
248 |
234 |
Enterprise Ireland also launched a new strategy “Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally (2025–2029)” earlier this year which also includes several strategic initiatives to boost SME digital and AI adoption. These include providing strategic company development and training grants to help Irish businesses to embrace the twin transition of sustainability and digitalisation; and to partner with the European Digital Innovation Hubs to support Irish businesses to map their digital journeys and identify appropriate technologies to drive growth. As of September, 67% of Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-up intake for 2025 was in innovative digital sectors.
Enterprise Ireland’s strategy prioritises regional enterprise development, innovation, and sustainability and building the capability of Irish companies to grow in world markets. Focus areas include digital transformation, sustainability, and innovation.
Enterprise Ireland works directly with leading edge Irish companies providing support through its High Potential Start Up funds for early-stage companies and its Research, Development and Innovation fund for more established companies to accelerate the development of these AI driven technologies. This acceleration is key to building a strong foundation for Irish enterprise as it grows to become the primary driver of the Irish economy.
Enterprise Ireland’s comprehensive approach to supporting digital transformation encompasses financial support, advisory services, training, technology adoption assistance, networking, and advocacy. Through these initiatives, EI helps Irish businesses navigate the complexities of digital transformation, enhancing their competitiveness and positioning them for long-term success in a digitally driven global economy. By facilitating access to resources, expertise, and funding, Enterprise Ireland ensures that Irish companies are well-equipped to embrace AI and digital innovation and thrive in the digital age.
Irish enterprises across all technology sectors, including digital, IT services, life sciences, food technology, fintech and financial services, have embraced AI as an opportunity to deliver enhanced and more sophisticated products and services. As AI is all pervasive across every industry, it is difficult to be specific in terms of job numbers and the level of investment and other metrics in AI related activities using current survey methodology.
