Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2026
275. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken to support workers whose roles may be affected by the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies; and whether any national reskilling or workforce transition strategy is under development. [44277/26]
View answerThe Government recognises that technological advancements will inevitably bring disruption. The impact of AI on future work remains uncertain; while it will undoubtedly create new opportunities, it also poses risks of jobs and skills displacement.
My Department, supports workers to navigate and mitigate the impacts of potential job displacement, including through responsive and accessible skilling and upskilling opportunities. Programmes already offered through the HEA, Skillnet and SOLAS provide a range of re-skilling and up-skilling opportunities to those most exposed to technological change.
The Springboard+ 2026 programme, launched in March offers more than 7,200 places across 244 courses.
Department officials, SOLAS, and the National Skills Council worked together to develop an online AI Skilling Platform, to enable free broad access to skills and training for an AI-enabled economy through short online modules. The platform called AIready.ie, which went live on the 31st of March, features four free, short and trusted courses designed to demystify AI.
By focusing on practical, everyday tasks, the aim is for Artificial Intelligence to be a helpful companion for everyone, rather than a challenge to be feared.
The establishment of a National Skills Observatory will help us to map out Ireland’s future skills pipeline, including AI, and provide education and training responses with precision and foresight.
Acting as a central repository for labour market and skills information in Ireland, the Observatory will facilitate improved workforce planning, stronger policy and decision-making, improved lifelong learning and workforce reskilling.
My officials are currently progressing the establishment of the Observatory, which will build on the work of the existing Skills and Labour Market Research Unit in SOLAS.
