Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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At present there are 13 courses across the HE system which include digital forensics as a key focus, with an average of c. 300 graduates in the discipline per annum. While I have not received any proposals in relation to increasing provision in Digital Forensics specifically, my Department is committed to engaging with all Departments and industry representative bodies to support them in their workforce planning needs.

Ireland’s whole-of-Government approach to our digital agenda, including at EU and international level, ensures coherent and impactful delivery. The Cabinet Committee on the Economy and Investment drives the implementation of Harnessing Digital, supported by a Senior Officials Group on Digital Issues, and other sub-groups. Ongoing engagement with stakeholders plays a central part, including regular industry engagement via the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum, as well as with regulators through the Digital Regulators Group. My Department engages closely in this work.

Ireland takes its role in enforcing digital regulation seriously, and through Harnessing Digital the Government is re-enforcing Ireland’s commitment to a cohesive, well-resourced regulatory framework so as to effectively oversee and enforce regulations. This includes our commitment to ensuring the provision of necessary resources and legislation, as, for example, with the Digital Services Act. Through the DSA and Harnessing Digital my Department supports the work of An Coimisiún na Meán in enforcing the rules set in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill on misinformation.

As such, combatting the proliferation of misinformation is a key focus on a whole of government basis in 2024. For my Department, this includes funding research into the best ways of combatting misinformation and disinformation.