Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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90. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the type of training provided to staff within his Department in the use of, or understanding of artificial intelligence; if a programme is planned for all staff on their obligations under the EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67472/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department recognises the need to develop skills and capability in order to enable ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Civil Service. Accordingly, my Department provides a number of classroom-based training courses to staff, which are delivered by the Institute of Public Administration (IPA). These include an introductory course to provide essential understanding of AI, a masterclass for senior leaders to explore the strategic potential of AI, and a course on the effective use of Microsoft Copilot.

In addition, all Department staff have access to an eLearning module developed by the IPA in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and industry experts in the field of AI, which explores the core principles and practical tools designed to support the responsible use of AI. The course has been developed to accompany the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Irish Public Service and is tailored for civil servants tasked with planning, implementing, or overseeing AI initiatives in their own organisations.

The measures outlined above place my Department in compliance with the EU AI Act by ensuring that staff have the required level of AI literacy to safely and appropriately use the platforms made available to them.