Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
22. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection for the data his Department holds relating to any youth unemployment increases in certain sectors due to the rollout of AI; the sectors that have been identified as high risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2889/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish labour market continues to perform well, despite ongoing economic uncertainty. According to the most recent data from the Central Statistics Office, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5 percent in December 2025.
Recently, the youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) has risen. It stands on a seasonally adjusted basis, as of December 2025 at 14 percent. Youth unemployment is more volatile than that of the general population.
In its most recent quarterly bulletin, the Central Bank forecast unemployment to remain stable this year. It also highlighted that a reduction in hiring has coincided with a larger number of 15 to 24 year olds entering the labour market. Coupled with a decrease in part-time employment, youth unemployment has increased.
Last May, the Department of Finance Published “Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe? An Analysis of How AI Could Impact Ireland’s Labour Market”, it found that younger workers were slightly more exposed to AI compared to older workers, being both in “at risk” and “high gain” roles.
In addition, the Financial and Insurance; Information and Communication; and Professional, Scientific and Technical sectors were identified as more highly exposed with low complementarity to AI.
The performance of the labour market overall is monitored through Labour Market Updates, quarterly publications which examine emerging labour market trends, and are used by the Labour Market Advisory Council, which is composed of independent policy experts who provide advice to the Minister on labour market policy and oversee the implementation of the National Employment Strategy, Pathways to Work.
My Department is committed to continuing to monitor the impact of emerging technologies, and the exposure of vulnerable groups. These insights will inform the successor strategy to Pathways to Work, which is being developed at the moment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
