James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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433. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the steps his Department is taking to improve data collection and database construction in anticipation of the increased data processing capacity that artificial intelligence adoption entails; if he will outline the logic behind their approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18361/25]

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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436. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will specify the specific policy areas where the Department is examining future use of AI; if he will identify what entities the Department is working with, public or private, in relation to this examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18413/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 436 together.

My officials are currently considering potential application and adoption of AI in its work. An internal working group has been established to progress and consider the potential future beneficial use of AI. Limited circumstances in which AI is currently used include summarising text and workshop structuring. All text is reviewed and verified by a human. There are no AI systems in place that processes citizens' information. The working group are currently looking at what experts may exist in the system to help my officials shape guidelines for the use of AI within the Department. No changes have currently been made surrounding data collection or database construction.

My Department continues to review and follow guidance issued by the National Cyber Security Centre, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, and the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform on the use of Artificial Intelligence.

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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434. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will identify any projects which the Department has underway with CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for AI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18378/25]

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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435. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will identify any projects which a body under the aegis of his Department has underway with CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for AI; if he will send this question to the bodies for direct response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18396/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 435 together.

CeADAR is the National Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence and the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) for AI in Ireland. CeADAR has more than 90 member companies ranging from multinationals to indigenous SMEs spanning every industry vertical. The primary work of the Centre is on cutting-edge applied AI innovation and developing and deploying industry prototypes and market-ready solutions to companies. My officials have identified that CeDAR primarily receives State funding through Enterprise Ireland, which is a body under the aegis of the department of Enterprise Trade & Employment.

The information in respect of aegis bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.

Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science:

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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437. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will identify any AI training offered to people working in the Department; the level of take-up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18430/25]

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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440. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will detail whether any surveys have been carried out to estimate the amount of time taken up with administrative tasks where such time could be used more efficiently; if so, in which areas of the Department has this examination been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18489/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 437 and 440 together.

My Department is currently considering potential use cases for the adoption of AI in its work, and a working group has been established to progress this. Limited circumstances in which AI is currently used include summarising text and workshop structuring. All text is reviewed and verified by a human. There are no AI systems in place that processes citizens' information. To date, the working group has not undertaken any surveys as outlined by the Deputy in his question.

The working group have a draft terms of reference which include identifying potential training needs and to create guidelines to consider the use of AI within the Department.

My Department continues to review and follow guidance issued by the National Cyber Security Centre, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, and the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform on the use of Artificial Intelligence.