Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2026
350. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if any website or other platform operated by his Department uses an AI-enabled chatbot; if there are plans to use chatbots; in what circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4841/26]
View answerMy Department's ICT managed service is provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). As part of this service, my Department's website, www.gov.ie/drcdg, is hosted on the gov.ie family of government websites with the underlying infrastructure and technical environment for the platform provided by the OGCIO
I can confirm that Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) enabled chatbots are not currently employed on my Department’s website or any other platform operated by my Department.
I am informed, however, that the OGCIO is developing AI-enabled chatbot technology for integration with the gov.ie platform. This initiative aims to provide members of the public with accessible, real-time support with government services and information in line with the Digital Public Services Plan 2030 (www.gov.ie/en/de). A public beta test of the gov.ie chatbot is planned for the first quarter of this year.
