James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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148. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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. [18369/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department’s data collection processes are regularly reviewed to ensure high quality services to citizens, improvements are implemented when required. Similarly, the primary function of our databases is to store data for the safe and efficient operation of the services we provide. We ensure they are fit for these purposes. Recently my Department has designed and deployed a modern analytics platform that can source data from these databases and other sources for advanced analytics including AI. As the requirements of operational databases are distinct from analytics and AI platforms my Department has chosen to separate these.

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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149. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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. [18386/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has no projects currently underway with CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for AI.

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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150. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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. [18404/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Noting the relevance of the Deputy's question to the bodies under the aegis of my Department, I have referred this question to them for a direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please advise my private office.

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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151. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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. [18421/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is not currently examining the future use of AI in relation to specific policy areas. A free version of Microsoft Copilot has been made available to all staff and is being assessed under strict controls. Further AI use cases may be explored in the year ahead but these projects will focus on analytics type data work rather than on policy areas directly.

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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152. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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. [18438/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department recognises the importance of building future readiness and has offered AI training to staff through short courses provided by the Institute of Public Administration ("AI Essentials" and "AI Masterclass").

The "AI Essentials" course provides an understanding of the fundamentals of AI as well as its potential and implications. It aligns with the public service transformation strategy "Better Public Services" which aims to enhance service delivery though technology and digitisation.

The "AI Masterclass" course is designed for senior leaders who wish to developed their knowledge of AI and explore its strategic potential in crafting policy for, and delivering services to, the public.

To date, one iteration of each course has been made available to staff and all spaces available to my Department were filled.