James Geoghegan
Ceist:123. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the revised National Digital and AI Strategy. [13324/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 3 March 2026
Ceisteanna (123)
Freagraí scríofa
As committed to in the Programme for Government, the Government published our updated National Digital & AI Strategy last month.
Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future sets out the Government’s ambition to 2030 to strengthen our position as a digital leader and a global hub for applied AI innovation.
Through Digital Ireland, we will build on our strengths - a well-established reputation as a digital hub, an exceptional talent base and a vibrant innovation ecosystem – to ensure our economy reaps the benefits of digital and AI for growth and competitiveness, to enhance our public services, and to empower our people to thrive in a digital society.
The Strategy contains 20 high-level objectives and 90 specific deliverables, reflecting the breadth of ambition right across government on Public Services, Enterprise, Infrastructure, Cyber Security, Digital Regulation, Online Safety, and Skills and Talent.
It outlines five strategic, mutually reinforcing ambitions - Apply, Grow, Invest, Lead, and Empower – reflecting the agile approach needed to succeed in a fast-evolving digital world:
• Applying digital and AI technologies to enhance how we deliver our public services and driving responsible AI adoption across the public sector;
• Growing our digital economy and competitiveness, and strengthening our profile as a location for investment and a global hub for Applied AI;
• Investing in secure, resilient, future-proofed digital infrastructure, including building our cyber security capacity;
• Leading as a trusted, agile and forward-looking digital regulatory hub and centre of excellence;
• Empowering our people, workers and businesses to thrive in a digital economy and society, through responsive, inclusive digital and AI skills and literacy opportunities; and
• Enhancing our Online Safety Framework at both national and EU level to protect vulnerable cohorts, in particular children and young people
Ireland will continue to be a strong voice in Europe for a digital economy which supports competitiveness and innovation, while protecting data privacy and fundamental rights; this includes continuing to advocate for an ambitious and dynamic approach to digital simplification.
Digital Ireland reiterates the Government’s commitment to strengthening Ireland’s position as an EU Centre of Excellence and digital regulatory hub and to ensuring a modern, cohesive and well-resourced regulatory framework that is responsive to the evolving digital age.
We will ensure that everyone in our society is empowered to succeed in a digital era, by fostering the skills, literacy and societal trust necessary for a confident digital future, so that no one is left behind.
Online safety for minors is a key priority for the Government, and an area of focus in Digital Ireland. We will work actively at EU level to explore options for age restrictions on the use of social media in particular for those under 16. Ireland will advocate for a decision on the “digital age of majority” to be taken at EU level, but we will take action domestically if necessary.
As new challenges will arise with the continuing evolution of technologies, the Government will ensure they are addressed in a timely, robust and comprehensive manner.
Digital Ireland was developed through extensive cross-government and stakeholder engagement and as we accelerate our digital transition across the economy and society, we will ensure a coordinated and outcome-focused approach to implementation across the whole of Government, working in partnership with industry and key stakeholders.
Questions Nos. 124 to 130, inclusive, resubmitted.