Jen Cummins
Question:79. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the revised National Digital and AI Strategy. [36984/26]
View answerTuesday, 26 May 2026
Questions (79)
Written answers
As committed to in the Programme for Government, the Government published our updated National Digital & AI Strategy in February.
Our new National Digital & AI Strategy, Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future, sets out the Government’s ambition to 2030 to strengthen our position as a digital leader and a global hub for applied AI innovation.
Through Digital Ireland, we are building on our strengths - a well-established reputation as a digital hub, an exceptional talent base and a vibrant innovation ecosystem – to ensure our economy reaps the benefits of digital and AI for growth and competitiveness, to enhance public service delivery, and to empower our people to thrive in a digital society.
The Strategy sets out 20 high-level objectives and 90 specific deliverables, reflecting the breadth of ambition right across government on Public Service Delivery, Enterprise, Infrastructure, Cyber Security, Digital Regulation, Online Safety, and Skills and Talent.
It outlines five strategic, mutually reinforcing ambitions - Apply, Grow, Invest, Lead, and Empower – reflecting the agile approach needed to succeed in a fast-evolving digital world:
• Applying digital and AI technologies to enhance how we deliver our public services and driving responsible AI adoption across the public sector;
• Growing our digital economy and competitiveness, and strengthening our profile as a location for investment and a global hub for Applied AI;
• Investing in secure, resilient, future-proofed digital infrastructure, including building our cyber security capacity;
• Leading as a trusted, agile and forward-looking digital regulatory hub and centre of excellence;
• Empowering our people, workers and businesses to thrive in a digital economy and society, through responsive, inclusive digital and AI skills and literacy opportunities; and
• Enhancing our Online Safety Framework at both national and EU level to protect vulnerable cohorts, in particular children and young people.
Ireland will continue to be a strong voice in Europe for a digital economy which supports competitiveness and innovation, while protecting data privacy and fundamental rights; this includes continuing to advocate for an ambitious and dynamic approach to digital simplification.
Digital Ireland reiterates the Government’s commitment to strengthening Ireland’s position as an EU Centre of Excellence and digital regulatory hub and to ensuring a modern, cohesive and well-resourced regulatory framework that is responsive to the evolving digital age.
Implementation will be driven from the centre of Government, led by the Department of the Taoiseach, reporting to the Cabinet Committee on the Economy, Trade and Competitiveness, and will be informed by regular stakeholder engagement.
Questions Nos. 80 to 93, inclusive, resubmitted.