Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 May 2025
57. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the steps he is taking to cultivate investment in artificial intelligence in the context of his action plan for competitiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21722/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Refresh of Ireland's National AI Strategy was published in November 2024. The Strategy sets out a whole of government approach to putting the necessary enablers in place to underpin AI adoption in enterprise and public services, including a supportive innovation ecosystem, a secure data and connectivity infrastructure, and policies to ensure that the workforce is prepared for the impact of AI.
Supporting AI innovation and businesses through policies, funding and incentives is a priority for Government.
Enterprise Ireland is the most active venture capital investor in Europe by deal count. The new Seed and Venture Capital Scheme, which has a record allocation of €250 million over five years, provides vital funding for Irish companies in their early stages of development. This 42% increase in funding over the existing Scheme will enable Enterprise Ireland to create larger funds that will be invested in Irish firms in key areas such as AI, but also green tech, life-sciences and others.
We have designated a European Digital Innovation Hub for AI, CeADAR based in UCD. CeADAR is Ireland’s National Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence. CeADAR acts as a bridge between the worlds of applied research and commercial deployment. Industry membership of CeADAR now totals 90 industry partners, ranging from multi-nationals to indigenous SMEs.
The 2025 Programme for Government sets out an overall commitment to harnessing the digital and AI revolution to deliver effective and modern public services and to grow the economy. Key digital commitments include:
• Updating the National Digital Strategy to bring together digital policy and regulatory responsibilities;
• Investing to make Ireland an EU centre of expertise for digital and data regulation and being a regulatory hub for companies operating across the EU Digital Single Market;
• Transforming our public services by applying the latest technologies and maximising the potential benefits of AI to better plan for and deliver services, through the establishment of a single digital unit; empowering people to access public services easily, whether online or in person;
• Ensuring the integration of digital services across Departments as an alternative user access channel, including through the Life Events approach and Digital Wallet;
• Specific sectoral commitments, in particular in Health (including an AI in Health Strategy), and Justice / Courts Service reform;
• Support the continued digitalisation of enterprise, including AI, to increase productivity;
• Ensure investment in, and provision of digital skills and literacy at all levels, including in AI and Quantum Computing;
• Digital Infrastructure commitments include continuing to deliver broadband and 5G, expansion of the Connected Hubs network, and commitments on Data Centres and data interconnections, as well as strengthening cyber security.
Seven rounds of calls for the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) have been held to date, with the latest closed on the 30 April 2025. In total, €393 million was allocated to 107 collaborative projects to date, and nearly half of this funding has been allocated to projects incorporating an AI element into their research. Further calls are anticipated under the Programme for Government and its commitment to supporting all forms of innovation practices.
