Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
749. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will clarify whether personal data held by his Department and its customer facing sections is subject to processing by artificial intelligence tools (details supplied). [4303/26]
View answer750. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he and or his officials have conducted a data protection impact assessment with regards to the use of artificial intelligence tools, and, if so, the dates on which this assessment was conducted. [4308/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 749 and 750 together.
My Department's Immigration Service Delivery customer service portal, the Digital Contact Centre (DCC) incorporates a chatbot using Microsoft Copilot and an identify verification service using ID-Pal.
Registered DCC users can interact with the chatbot and enter information into it. The chatbot operates within an authenticated and secure customer portal and has been trained only on information published on the Immigration website. This ensures that responses are accessible and based solely on verified, up-to-date, and publicly available content. Users are clearly informed that they are interacting with an AI system and are advised to verify the information provided. There is no post-processing of private data by the chatbot. The chatbot is designed to provide general guidance and does not carry out actions or make decisions.
The service provided by ID-Pal is integrated in the customer service portal for identity verification, for the purpose of establishing a customer account. ID-Pal uses AI machine learning technology to verify in real – time the authenticity of applicant’s identity documents, ensuring that the person is accurately identified.
My Department’s use of AI is part of a broader transformation of customer services in the immigration area. The approach taken is low-risk, transparent, and in line with national AI and procurement guidelines. AI tools are used to enhance efficiency and accessibility but do not make decisions affecting individual rights. Continuous monitoring, human oversight, and clear disclaimers ensure responsible and ethical use.
In line with public procurement and AI governance guidelines, my Department undertook a comprehensive risk assessment process as part of the deployment of the DCC. This included a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), which was last updated on 14 July 2025. Simultaneously, a separate DPIA for the usage of ID-Pal was conducted and last updated on 26 June 2025.
