Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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508. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if his Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within his Department in 2024 and to date in 2025; if any section of his Department currently makes use of artificial intelligence; if he will outline the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; if he has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of AI; if he will provide a schedule of consultants engaged and costs of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6345/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently examining the potential future use of AI technologies and has engaged with IT consultancy companies, who hold existing contracts with the Department. The companies involved are Accenture, Bearing Point, Deloitte, Ernest Young and Gartner. No additional costs have arisen in relation to AI consultancy with these companies.

My officials have also actively participated in several stakeholder groups, providing observations to The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the EU AI Act drafts and its implementation.

An AI Chatbot on the MyGovID platform is in use, providing real-time advice to customers on how best to use the MyGovID service, with approximate monthly charges of €50. As part of an internal review of Microsoft Office services in the Department, a small number of users are temporarily piloting an upgrade, which includes limited integration of AI tools within the suite as standard.

The Department will continue to examine the merits of AI suitability for departmental needs.