Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 February 2026
1215. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans to increase AI training places on Springboard+, Skillset, and Solas micro-credential courses in 2026. [8741/26]
View answerDigital skills, including AI Skills, are an enabler of the digital transformation of the economy and society. Such skills cover a broad range of knowledge and competencies such as introductory knowledge, AI use in everyday work or life, use of AI in a medical context or developing Large Language Models.
In recent years, recognising the change brought by AI, the agencies of my Department have been very proactive in supporting the development of AI skills: the HEA (through Springboard+ in particular) and Skillnet have funded the development of specialist courses. They are subsidising course places. Many courses offered by higher education institutions (HEIs) have been adapted to reflect the availability and use of AI. The HEIs, encouraged by the leadership of the DFHERIS-funded National Forum for Teaching and Learning, continue to be proactive in this respect.
In 2025, the National Skills Council confirmed that AI skills are critical for national capability and an issue of concern to enterprise. In its advice to Government, the Council gave specific recommendations around AI skills gaps, including the provision of opportunities for continuous workforce skilling through collaboration and training across the skills ecosystem. On foot of this advice, I asked my officials to collaborate with SOLAS to develop an AI Skills platform. In the first iteration, it aims to demystify AI via a suite of four to six short introductory courses, with signposting for more advanced AI skills development such as the various AI Micro-Qualification courses being offered by SOLAS at levels 4-6 of the National Framework of Qualifications. The platform hosted on SOLAS e-college will act as an enabler of lifelong learning.
These developments highlight the planned increase of relevant courses in the months to come.
