Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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308. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether any assessment has been undertaken regarding the potential impact of AI-related job displacement on Irish workers in the technology, shared-services, financial-services, and customer-support sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40995/26]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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310. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether the Government intends to prioritise the retention and redeployment of Irish citizens and long-term resident workers in sectors identified as highly exposed to AI-related automation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40997/26]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 310 together.

I propose to answer questions 40995 and 40997 together.

My Department continually monitors the labour market and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI). There are already clear impacts on the labour market and these will become more pronounced in time. My Department has been researching the area heavily – for example, through the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), which published research on the theme of AI and the labour market late last year. The paper ‘How AI is transforming the Irish Labour Market’ highlighted the speed at which Ireland is moving in relation to AI. The research noted that Ireland leads in terms of the demand for AI jobs but also has a strong performance in relation to the supply of AI talent.

We have seen a doubling in AI jobs and usage since 2023. While this is a fast-changing field – it shows the inherent dynamism and resilience of the labour market here, and this bodes well for productivity, growth and incomes. The paper used national level data to compare Ireland with other European and international economies but doesn’t specifically go into forecasting or net employment impacts. My officials will be updating this work over the course of the year and I will be more than happy to share any updated analysis and insights.

The EGFSN is also funding other AI related research work, including a project on ‘Skills for Digital Specialists 2030’. This report will be published this year and will identify skills needs and gaps for ICT/digital specialists, including AI. The EGFSN is also co-funding a new ‘Working in Ireland Survey’ on the Irish labour market being done by UCD. Research from this extensive, all-island study will be available in 2026 and will include work on AI and the labour market.

Work assets.gov.ie/static/documents/391b8952/Economic_Insights_Volume_1_2026.pdf also pointed to the fact that our labour market is highly exposed to AI given the composition of employment here, specifically in relation ICT, financial and professional services. The work also noted that AI may already be affecting employment patterns, with sectors more exposed to AI such as ICT and financial services recording significantly weaker employment growth in recent years.

A dynamic and competitive labour market, such as Ireland’s, will effectively redeploy talent, as people take up new opportunities, though there will be friction during times of faster change. The Government remains committed to retaining and attracting talent and ensuring that workers are supported to adapt through upskilling and reskilling as roles evolve. This approach aligns with the Government’s ambition to create up to 300,000 additional jobs by 2030.

At the same time, the new National Digital & AI Strategy, Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future (published in February), sets out a clear roadmap for advancing Ireland’s digital and AI capabilities in the years ahead, underlying digital competitiveness as a foundation for economic resilience. A key priority is to fast-track enterprise technology adoption to boost productivity and competitiveness.

Finally, it is clear that given the rapid advancement of AI technology the development of new capabilities and capacities in the workforce will be necessary as it is very likely that new types of jobs will emerge. Key commitments include ensuring access to agile, and fit-for-purpose, high quality upskilling and reskilling opportunities; a nationwide Digital and AI skilling campaign; a new Roadmap for Technology Skills of the Future; and a new National Skills Observatory to assist Government to develop national AI and jobs policy in the years ahead. I know the Department of Further and Higher Education Research, Innovation and Science has been particularly busy in these areas.