Carol Nolan
Question:448. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the supports available for SMEs in Offaly to integrate AI technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14548/26]
View answerTuesday, 24 February 2026
Questions (448)
Written answers
AI has the potential to greatly improve productivity, drive efficiencies and enhance competitiveness. To empower more businesses, particularly SMEs, to adopt AI, I am working with the Local Enterprise Offices, European Digital Innovation Hubs, and enterprise agencies to ensure that every SME is aware of the benefits and the State supports available to them.
A wide range of enterprise supports are in place for SMEs:
• The Grow Digital Voucher offers up to €5,000 to small businesses (under 50 employees) to adopt digital tools like e-commerce, AI, cybersecurity, and website development.
• The Digital for Business consultancy scheme, a free service which connects businesses with expert advisors to assess needs and develop tailored plans.
• The Grow Digital Portal showcases success stories from non-tech businesses embracing digital transformation.
• Ireland’s four European Digital Innovation Hubs (Dublin, Cork, Mullingar, Sligo) help SMEs and public bodies adopt key technologies: AI, cybersecurity, and high-performance computing.
A further €23 million in additional funding was recently announced for these Hubs to support SMEs in their uptake of AI and other cutting edge digital technologies. These hubs are delivering real, practical supports that help SMEs understand, test and adopt advanced digital technologies with confidence.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), located within the 31 Local Authorities, are the first stop shop for local businesses in Ireland. In the first instance LEOs provide a signposting service for government supports available to the SME sector, including the grants and assistance mentioned above, and can provide referrals to other relevant bodies where appropriate.
In 2025, the LEO in Offaly received 23 applications for Digital for Business, with 21 approvals. For the same period there were 12 applications for the Grow Digital Voucher, with all 12 being approved.
The new National Digital & AI Strategy, Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future, was published last week. One of my key priorities in the Strategy is fast-tracking enterprise technology adoption, to boost productivity and competitiveness. Under the Government's AI - Good for Business initiative, a national AI and digital awareness roadshow has been established in tandem with LEO regions and is designed to help SMEs understand the benefits of adopting AI and digital technologies, together with promoting SME experiences of using supports available from their local LEO.
Finally, the establishment of a new AI Office of Ireland in 2026, an independent statutory entity which will be the central coordinating authority for the EU AI Act, will be a major milestone. One of they key functions of the office will be promoting safe AI innovation and adoption across the economy and society.