Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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697. To ask the Minister for Health if she has responded to correspondence in respect of the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare (details supplied); her views on the recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9369/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Yes, the Minister has responded to the letter and welcomes the recommendations on the application of AI in healthcare.

Indeed, the Department and HSE have commenced the development of an AI in Health strategy (as committed to in the Programme for Government) and the recommendations will provide valuable input in the context of the research and stakeholder engagement process that will inform that strategy.

Artificial Intelligence has the potential to support the delivery of healthcare more efficiently and accurately and free up healthcare professionals to focus on patient care.

The AI strategy will promote the safe and responsible use of AI in healthcare and identify a number of areas where it has the potential for significant benefit such as Clinical and Patient Care; Operations and Administration; Research and Development; Patient Engagement and Experience, and Public Health.

I welcome the findings and recommendations from the citizens' jury established by Irish Platform for Patient Organisations, Science and Industry (IPPOSI) who come together to deliberate and offer their perspective on the safe, ethical and inclusive use of AI in healthcare. These juries aim to ensure that the perspectives and preferences of patients are considered in future legislation, regulation, strategy, policy, and practice around the topics they discuss.

The Department of Health and HSE are engaging with IPPOSI as one of wide range of stakeholders in the development of the AI in Health strategy and these recommendations will inform work underway.

Separately, as Minister for Health, I have tasked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to develop guidance to promote the responsible and safe use of AI in health and social care. This will be shared with the public later this year.