I am very aware that the adoption of AI is one of the largest structural forces that is shaping our country. We need to ensure that no-one is left behind.? This belief underpins Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future, the national digital and AI strategy. It echoes the recommendations of the National Skills Council and what I heard at the first of a series of Skills Roundtable discussions – a national programme of high-level engagements focused on ensuring that Ireland has the right skills for a rapidly changing economy.
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.
Programmes offered by the HEA, Skillnet and SOLAS provide a range of re-skilling and upskilling opportunities to those most exposed to technological change. There are also supports for learners to access the courses. For example, the Springboard+ 2026 programme I launched in March provides full-time and part-time courses which are fully or part funded depending on the employment status of the participant.
To provide reliable data and insights on labour market trends and skills needs, I am establishing a National Skills Observatory. My objective is to ensure that the skills ecosystem aligns with labour market demands and continues to support workers who need to navigate and mitigate the impacts of potential job displacement.
