As the Deputy may be aware the development of the new National Digital and Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NDAIS) is well advanced with publication expected shortly. Underpinning the various pillars of the NDAIS will be a renewed commitment by Government to inclusion and accessibility so that no one is left behind.
The Government’s aim is to make the digital transition a positive one for those who can engage digitally and to provide support or an alternative for those who cannot. By enabling and encouraging those who can use digital services to so do, Government will redirect resources in a range of ways to provide a much better service to those who may need assistance. We will use digital to improve the off-line experience for those who are unable or do not wish to consume services digitally. The Government also recognises that digital public services must be accessible, literacy-friendly, equitable, and inclusive, designed to reach all groups in society, including those who are digitally disadvantaged and lack digital skills.
Furthermore, the continued progress with and success of initiatives such as the National Broadband Plan as well as the extensive mobile coverage from commercial operators are ensuring members of the public have the connectivity needed to access digital services. The next phase of Our Rural Future (2026-2031), is under development and will include a continued focus on ensuring that rural areas can fully participate in the digital economy.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that my Department previously published Digital for Good: Ireland’s Digital Inclusion Roadmap which has been a key input to the new National Digital Artificial Intelligence Strategy. The Roadmap acknowledged that, as digital technologies become increasingly woven into our daily lives, there is a risk that some people could be disadvantaged and therefore left behind. The Roadmap identified the work that is already underway across government to achieve digital inclusion through better skills, access and infrastructure. Digital for Good brought this work together in a coherent manner and shows how Government is working to empower and support everyone to use digital services in a meaningful way and in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals’ principle of “Leave No One Behind”.
Finally, I would like to draw the Deputy’s attention to the Charter for Digital Inclusion announced previously by my colleague the Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation. This call to action represents a major step forward in Ireland’s journey toward a more inclusive digital society. The Charter will outline a set of core commitments focused on accessibility, equity, affordability, and the development of digital skills. It will serve as a framework for collaboration between the public sector, large enterprises, SMEs, community organisations and citizens. The Charter will continue to form part of Government’s efforts to ensure no one is left behind and is included in the new National Digital and Artificial Intelligence Strategy which, as I mentioned, will be published shortly.
