Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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235. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a way to volunteer SME expertise to her Department's AI for schools development; and if so, the contact details for the persons working on AI literacy, sustainability and ethics for schools. [26680/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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There is a need to ensure careful consideration about the use of AI in all aspects of teaching, learning and assessment, and that teachers and school leaders have the necessary. The Digital Strategy for Schools reflects the importance of AI and the use of data in the education context.

Ongoing research, engagement with other EU member states and national regulatory changes including the implementation of the EU AI Act, and insights from Coimisiún na Meán will continue to guide the Department's efforts to assist schools and teachers in navigating the challenges and opportunities AI brings to education.

Oide Technology in Education (TiE) promotes and supports embedding digital technologies in teaching, learning and assessment in primary and post-primary schools. In addition to specific support for the school sector, Oide TiE has a key function in ensuring that the effective use of digital technologies is embedded in all professional learning programmes delivered across the Oide support service. They also advise the Department in relation to the use of digital technology in education and are involved at EU level in various research projects including on AI.

The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was developed following extensive consultation, including an open call for submissions and with a stakeholder consultation group and industry group. It is intended to establish an Industry Group to provide a formal means for the Department to engage with Industry to maintain this engagement and further develop their potential to support digital transformation and capacity building in schools. Representative bodies from the relevant sectors, including technology sector, will be asked to provide nominations from their membership for that group in due course.

The area with responsibility for the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 implementation can be contacted via email at ictpolicy@education.gov.ie.