Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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127. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has a policy, or has issued guidance to staff on the use of artificial intelligence, large language model, natural language processing, generative or otherwise, or products based thereon in the course of their duties; if this has been communicated to staff; if he will publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36151/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department continues to follow guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) “Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies”, published on 1 June 2023 which states that access to AI platforms should be blocked

“until such time as Departments have conducted the relevant risk assessments, have appropriate usage policies in place and staff awareness on safe usage has been implemented.”

In February 2024 a notification issued to staff in the Department drawing their attention to the newly published Interim Guidelines for Use of AI in the Public Service from the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform – these guidelines are available online. The notification reminded staff that AI tools are blocked by default in the Department while potential use cases are investigated.

The Department is currently finalising guidelines for staff on the limited use of AI and these will issue in the near future. Any subsequent roll-out of AI tools will be accompanied by comprehensive support, governance and risk assessment to ensure their safe and appropriate use.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department, or any agency under his auspices, has ever used any artificial intelligence software in the preparation of response to parliamentary questions, or in responses to any correspondence from outside the organisation; the details of same if applicable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36170/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department continues to follow guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) “Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies”, published on 1 June 2023 which states that access to AI platforms should be blocked

“until such time as Departments have conducted the relevant risk assessments, have appropriate usage policies in place and staff awareness on safe usage has been implemented.”

Generative AI tools are thus blocked in my Department while officials work to develop guidelines for staff to ensure that any future use takes place in a safe and appropriate manner. Until this work is complete, the current policy in place states that such tools should not be used for any official business.

I have asked the Agencies under my aegis to provide the information requested directly to the Deputy. If you do not hear back from the Agencies within 10 working days, please contact my office.