Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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706. To ask the Minister for Health if her Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence, AI, within the Department; if any section of her Department currently makes use of AI; the purposes it is utilised for, and costs associated with same; and if she has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of AI. [4812/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Training is currently being provided to a small number of staff regarding possible use cases of Generative Artificial Intelligence within our existing infrastructure, including improved efficiency and productivity. My Department spent approximately €3,000 last year, and will expect to spend approximately €8,000 in 2025 in respect of licences and training in this regard.

There is an approved policy in place on the use of Gen AI which is based on recommendations from the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies and DPENDR’s Interim Guidelines for Use of AI in the Public Service. The default approach is that Gen AI is not to be used for Departmental business, unless there is an approved business case that has completed the appropriate risk assessments.

We have not formally engaged any consultancy firms but have met with firms to gain a better understanding of possible opportunities in the use of AI.