Artificial Intelligence

Thursday, 18 December 2025

Ceisteanna (554)

James Geoghegan

Ceist:

554. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline any engagement his Department has had with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment on the subject of new graduates being unable to obtain entry-level jobs in areas most affected by the adoption of artificial intelligence; his views on whether there will be a need to introduce specific retraining schemes for new graduates affected by this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73805/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The matter to which the Deputy refers falls within the remit of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. My Department will engage in any cross-government initiatives on this matter.

You may wish to note that the most recent Labour Force Survey (Q3 2025) shows that overall employment grew by 1.1% since quarter 3 2024 to reach its highest ever level of 2.825m, with graduate employment increasing by between 5 and 6. In addition the monthly unemployment rate and the number of people on the Live Register both fell in November. This suggests that, to the extent that the introduction of AI may have an employment impact it is not, as yet, evident in overall employment levels.