Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
197. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the action being taken to ensure that no one is left behind as AI advances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45434/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment recently published the new National Digital and AI Strategy - Digital Ireland: Connecting our People, Securing our Future, which sets out a clear and ambitious roadmap for advancing Ireland’s digital and AI capabilities in the years ahead, underlying digital competitiveness as a foundation for economic resilience.
The Strategy takes a whole of Government approach covering key pillars from public services and digital infrastructure to enterprise, skills and digital regulation. It reflects the breadth of our ambition and the shared responsibility across Government to deliver it. The Strategy embeds digital inclusion across all pillars to ensure everyone can benefit from digital and AI advancements.
My key focus is to accelerate the adoption of AI across our enterprise base, and in particular SMEs, to enhance competitiveness and productivity.
In 2025, my Department introduced the Charter for Digital Inclusion as a landmark step in Ireland’s mission to create a more inclusive digital society. The initiative highlights the importance of partnership and collaboration to address the digital divide, particularly the role of larger businesses in supporting SMEs to adopt and benefit from digital technologies.
The AI – Good for Business initiative provides an overarching framework for AI and digital transformation efforts within my Department and across the wider enterprise ecosystem. It promotes AI as a practical and trusted tool, while supporting businesses to adopt it in a manageable, step-by-step way that reflects their individual needs and capabilities.
A key focus of the initiative is awareness and accessibility. A nationwide campaign, including Ministerial roadshows delivered in partnership with Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), is helping to demystify AI for businesses, particularly SMEs. These events highlight real-world examples, demonstrate practical uses of AI, and ensure that businesses are aware of the supports available to them.
A comprehensive suite of supports is also in place to ensure that businesses and workers can adapt to technological change. These include:
• The Grow Digital Voucher (up to €5,000), supporting small businesses to adopt digital tools, including AI;
• The Digital for Business Consultancy Scheme, providing expert guidance and tailored digital plans;
European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs)• , offering hands-on assistance to test and implement advanced technologies, supported by significant additional funding;
• A wide range of education, upskilling and reskilling programmes through CeADAR, SOLAS, the ETBs, Skillnet Ireland and Springboard+.
These measures ensure that both enterprises and workers have the skills and confidence to engage with AI and benefit from its opportunities.
Further actions are being progressed to strengthen inclusion and readiness, including the development of a sector-specific AI adoption strategy, the appointment of AI Sector Champions, and the establishment of OBAIR, the Observatory for Business AI Readiness, to improve understanding of how AI is being adopted and where additional supports may be needed.
Finally, the establishment of the AI Office of Ireland in 2026 will provide a clear and supportive regulatory environment under the EU AI Act. This will include the development of an AI regulatory sandbox, allowing businesses to test new solutions safely and responsibly.
The Government recognises the importance that Ireland’s approach to AI serves the needs of all parts of society. Taken together, the measures above ensures that AI adoption is inclusive, responsible and benefits all parts of the economy and society.
