Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
52. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth to consider introducing AI literacy classes in secondary schools, that will include age-appropriate, curriculum aligned modules at both junior and senior cycle level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29160/26]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, I recently announced the establishment of the AI in Schools External Advisory Taskforce to build on my department’s ongoing work to consider the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for teaching, learning and assessment across the school system.
The taskforce will provide a structured forum for engagement with key education stakeholders, teachers’ unions, management bodies, relevant agencies and experts to examine the evolving implications of AI for teaching, learning and assessment and to inform the ongoing development of policy, guidance and supports in this evolving area.
Schools are already developing the transversal skills that learners need to work effectively with AI. Skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, communication and digital literacy are embedded across the curriculum, helping students analyse information, question outputs, collaborate with others and use technology responsibly—core competencies for interacting with AI systems. The skills required to engage with AI, including computational thinking, ethical awareness and media literacy, are already integrated into teaching and learning and are further strengthened through ongoing curriculum redevelopment, digital literacy initiatives and STEM policy actions. These efforts ensure that learners are increasingly well prepared to navigate and use AI technologies in education, work and everyday life.
The Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024–2033 provides a coherent, system-wide focus on building learners’ skills, knowledge and dispositions from early childhood to post-primary level, ensuring they can engage confidently, critically and responsibly in an increasingly complex world.
The STEM Education Policy Statement 2017–2026 also emphasises the development of key transversal skills such as curiosity, inquiry, creativity, computational thinking, persistence and ethical behaviour—competencies that support high-quality learning across all subjects.
Learning in relation to Artificial Intelligence is incorporated into both Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate subjects.
Artificial Intelligence features specifically in the newly updated Junior Cycle Digital Media and Literacy Short Course. Due to be implemented in schools from September 2026, this short course asks students to be able to investigate how digital media content is published on the internet and the potential role of new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence in content creation.
The specification also aims to allow students to discuss their engagement with AI driven chat tools and large language models and debate the advantages and disadvantages of new and emerging technologies, including AI.
Additionally, Strand 1 of the Leaving Certificate Computer Science specification focuses on the practices and principles of Computer Science, including the role of computers in society. As part of this, students learn about AI technologies, including when and what AI algorithms might be used in certain contexts
