James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

45. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to implement the Competitiveness and Productivity Action Plan goal of improved and more targeted funding for the adoption of AI and digital tools under the enterprise pillar of the new National Digital and AI Strategy; the metrics his Department will use to measure the success of these policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61891/25]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity will be overseen by a Senior Officials Group, to ensure robust cross-departmental oversight and strategic alignment. A key element of the Plan is to accelerate digital transformation and AI adoption in all enterprises. This will be central to the enterprise pillar of the updated National Digital and AI Strategy, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Key strategic actions will include:

• A dual approach strategy to support both foundational digital adoption for traditional SMEs and advanced AI enablement for technology-native firms.
• A review of the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) digital supports, “Digital for Business” and “Grow Digital Voucher” will be undertaken to assess their effectiveness.
• Raising awareness and promoting the range of digitalisation assistance provided by the LEOs, European Digital Innovation Hubs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to drive digital transformation in industry.Raising awareness of the full potential of digital and AI tools among SMEs will be at the heart of our approach. Working with partners including business representative groups we will launch a Nationwide AI and Digital literacy campaign over the coming months.
• Ongoing investment to ensure that grant programmes remain available. Since 2022, Enterprise Ireland has approved €58.1 million in funding through the Digital Transition Fund for 926 projects across 694 clients. The Digital Transition Fund concludes in 2026, but Government will continue to fund the underlying schemes.