Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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181. To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence, AI, within the Department; if any section of his Department currently makes use of AI; the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; and if he has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of AI. [7051/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm for the Deputy that the government approved Interim Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Public Service in January 2024. I can confirm that my department follows these guidelines and that these guidelines were circulated to all staff within my department.

My department also follows guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) released in June 2023, entitled “Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies”. The NCSC guidance recommended that new technology should only be adopted based on a clearly defined business needs following an appropriate risk assessment.

I can confirm that my department does not make use of any artificial intelligence tools or programs and has not consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of A.I.