Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
1189. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his plans to introduce AI technologies in rural areas; and the way this will be done (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72347/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1190. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht there are any opportunities for AI training and the creation of AI-related jobs in rural areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72348/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1189 and 1190 together.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has overall responsibility with regard to Government strategy on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and that Department launched Ireland’s first National AI Strategy ‘AI – Here for Good’ in July 2021. That strategy was refreshed in November 2024, with the refresh including a focus on raising awareness within small and medium enterprises of the potential benefits of AI, and the role of research institutes in enhancing skills and research outputs in the area. Overall, the National AI Strategy serves as a roadmap for how Ireland can leverage the potential of AI for unlocking productivity, for addressing societal challenges, and for delivering public services. The actions within that strategy are equally applicable for rural enterprises and indeed the strategy specifically notes that investment in AI will be promoted through initiatives with a regional focus, including the Smart Regional Enterprise Innovation Scheme. I would also note that one of the most important drivers of AI usage will be access to appropriate connectivity and, as the Deputy may be aware, the Minister for Culture, Communications, and Sport recently announced that the National Broadband Plan is ahead of its targets, with 440,000 rural households and farms now passed by the network. In addition, investment by my Department in broadband connection points and in the national hub network has opened up opportunities right across rural Ireland. Government supported AI training is also available to all enterprises through entities such as CeADAR (Ireland’s National AI Hub) and Springboard provides a number of training opportunities, in particular through the Technological Universities (springboardcourses.ie/). Skillnet Ireland, an agency of Department of Further and Higher Education, is also helping businesses to address skills needs in AI and provides online Masters programmes in AI (ictskillnet.ie/course-category/artificial-intelligence/). This strategic investment in connectivity and training by the Government will ensure rural areas can yield the same benefits from AI as any other location in the country. My Department is currently developing a successor to Our Rural Future, the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. Submissions to the final period of public consultation closed on Friday 12th December, and will be reviewed to inform the new policy. The policy will include a focus on enterprise development, and the emerging opportunities for enterprise development in rural areas.
