James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 713 and 714 together.

The EU Digital, Economic and Social Index (DESI) 2024 ranks Ireland 3rd of the EU’s 28 countries for ICT graduates, and 3rd on several key digital skills categories, including;

• at least basic digital skills,
• above basic digital skills, and;
• females with at least basic digital skills.

The DESI also ranks Ireland 6th on the percentage of ICT specialists in the workforce, making Ireland among the top performers in the EU. Ireland’s strong performance is attributable to its continued high level of investment in the development of digital skills. My officials are considering how we can further strengthen our approach to the development of digital skills.

Investment in digital skills development spans the breadth of the responsibilities of my Department and its agencies. Course provision has increased significantly in recent years at all levels – from basic digital literacy skills to PhDs in highly specialised areas. Digital skills are integrated into non-ICT specialist courses, whether learners are pursuing their education, returning to education or whether they are in the workforce.

In terms of digital literacy, the Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Strategy, sets out a cross government, cross-economy and cross-society approach. . A financial allocation of €4 million supports the implementation of the Strategy every year. This includes €1 million for the ALL Collaboration & Innovation Fund. The Fund supported over 150 projects since 2023 to create safe learning spaces, address the digital divide, build stronger communities and increase literacy awareness. The 2025 funding round is currently open to applications.

A range of targeted digital upskilling and reskilling initiatives are funded through the National Training Fund. For example,

• The 2024 Springboard+ programme funded by HEA supports: 32 full-time ICT Skills Conversion Courses with 873 places and an additional three part-time courses with 78 places, and 35 “traditional” ICT courses with 951 places. These courses included Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Software Development, among others. ICT continues to be a critical skills area for the Springboard+ programme, with particular emphasis being placed on AI and digital skills in the current 2025 Call for Proposals.
• SOLAS enables more than 200 apprentices in ICT/digital subjects. It supports the development of digital skills through its skills to work and skills to advance courses.
• Skillnet Ireland funds multiple industry networks - supporting the development of specialist digital skills (e.g. Cybersecurity Masters) and digital transformation (e.g. digital skills for the construction industry).
• Budget 2025 allocated €0.5m to SOLAS to pilot a Bootcamp model for specialist digital skills for older workers through the new Skills package.

In relation to activity on AI skills, Here for Good: Ireland’s National AI Strategy, aims to develop capacity to understand and adopt this new technology.

To support the implementation of the National Strategy for Quantum Technologies launched by DFHERIS in 2023, a working group on Nurturing top science and engineering talent was established. We expect to receive a comprehensive roadmap from the Working Group later in 2025.

Research Ireland has allocated some €72 million across 17 programmes, covering research infrastructure, enterprise and industry partnerships, early career researchers and education and public engagement initiatives in relation to AI and Machine Learning.