Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
1258. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department engaged with any firms in the private sector in the development of his Department's new national AI skilling platform, 'AIReady.ie'; if so, if he will list those firms. [32395/26]
View answer1259. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of establishing his Department's new national AI skilling platform, 'AIReady.ie'; the annual cost he expects to incur on a per annum basis moving forward; the length of time he expects the 'AIReady.ie' initiative to remain in existence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32396/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1258 and 1259 together.
AIready.ie was developed by the Government of Ireland, through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, in partnership with the National Skills Council and SOLAS.
The National Skills Council represents the voice of enterprise in Ireland’s skills system, with a membership drawn from across industry, including the Chairperson of the Council, Dr Kevin Marshall, who is the Head of Future Skilling at Microsoft Ireland. Part of the Council’s advice to Government last year was the creation of such a resource. Following consideration of that advice, AIready.ie was developed.
Phase one of the initiative was funded from my Department’s allocation to SOLAS as the training agency of the state. The initiative is envisaged to run for six months to gather information and assess participation.
Subject to the standard Estimates process, a proposal will be developed for subsequent phases to allow for increased user profiles, progression pathways and more specialised skills targeting. In this way, the Minister’s ambition of achieving one million learners will be progressed, and our skills system will contribute to achieving national economic targets.
