Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 April 2026
291. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of civil and public servants in her Department and agencies under its remit who have received training in AI, data literacy, or digital skills in the past year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25035/26]
View answerThe civil service digital learning hub, One Learning, provides the majority of training currently on offer to civil servants in my Department in the area of AI, data literacy and digital skills.
The training options in this category currently include training on AI, cybersecurity, data analysis, data visualisation, data protection and a suite of Microsoft office courses which are available to all staff in my Department.
In the period 1 January to 31 December 2025, staff in my Department completed 470 training courses in this category.
In relation to the Department's Cyber Awareness Baseline training, 3,238 users had completed this training by the end of 2025.
The Department also supports staff to pursue further education at third level through the refund of fees scheme. There are three staff currently studying courses under the scheme at diploma, degree and Master's level which come under the broad category of AI/data literacy/digital.
Staff can also pursue their own self-learning options.
