Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
751. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether any proposed National AI Workforce Transition Programme or related AI retraining initiative would apply equally to Irish citizens, EU citizens, and non-EU employment permit holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40994/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is mindful that technological advancements will inevitably bring labour market disruption. Recent analysis published by the Department of Finance and the ESRI confirms this, although the exact impact of AI on future work remains uncertain.
The Government will support workers to navigate and mitigate the impacts of potential job displacement, including through responsive and accessible skilling and upskilling opportunities.
To provide reliable data, I am establishing a National Skills Observatory. This will provide data and insights on labour market trends and skills needs, including AI. The objective is to ensure that the skills ecosystem aligns with labour market demands.
Programmes offered by the HEA, Skillnet and SOLAS offer a range of re-skilling and upskilling opportunities to those most exposed to technological change.
For instance, the Springboard+ 2026 programme I launched in March offers more than 7,200 places across 244 courses. The full-time and part-time courses are fully funded for unemployed participants (or those returning to the workforce) while those in employment typically pay just 10% of the course fee.
Unemployed applicants qualifying for Department of Social Protection payments, including job seekers payments, will take priority over others. They are not expected to demonstrate that they meet nationality or residency requirements. In other circumstances, enrolment on the programme is subject to eligibility criteria, including in terms of Irish Residency Permit if they are non-EU applicants. The full list of eligibility criteria is available from the Springboard+ website.
Finally, I must note that the acquisition of AI literacy by learners in education and learners in the workplace is one of my priorities. To this effect, I have launched an upskilling platform, AIready.ie, and a set of AI micro-qualifications which are available for free through the country’s 16 ETBs.
