Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
409. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of jobs which have been created in AI-related companies each year since 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73825/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the Central Statistics Office use a European standard (NACE codes) to classify businesses by their primary economic activity and using this can determine numbers employed by economic activity.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) spans a range of business areas and has no specific NACE code. Therefore, providing insights on employment created in AI related companies requires alternate approaches.
By way of example, data from the company Indeed shows the share of job postings on its website that contain Artificial Intelligence (AI) terms. 11.2% of job posting contained AI terms in November 2025 and this was up from 5.6% in November 2021. The data can be further explored at this link: data.indeed.com/#/ai
Government’s ambition is that Ireland’s future growth will be built on innovation. We want to drive digital and AI innovation across the spectrum of enterprise.
Enterprise Ireland’s Strategy 2025-2029 Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally includes several strategic initiatives to boost SME digital and AI adoption including to:
• Provide strategic company development and training grants to help Irish businesses to embrace the twin transition of sustainability and digitalisation.
• Partner with the European Digital Innovation Hubs to support Irish businesses to map their digital journeys and identify appropriate technologies to drive growth
As of September, 67% of Enterprise Ireland’s HPSU (High Potential Start-up) intake for 2025 was in innovative digital sectors.
IDA Ireland identified digitalisation and AI as one of the four key growth areas for foreign investment in Ireland over the next five years.
A 2025 report by Trinity Business School estimated that AI adoption could enhance Ireland's GDP by more than €250 billion by 2035. To crystallise this will require widespread adoption of digital and AI technologies across the enterprise base to increase productivity and competitiveness.
Government will drive this adoption, working through its enterprise agencies, with a dual approach strategy that supports both foundational digital adoption for traditional SMEs and advanced AI enablement for technology native firms.
