381. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether digital exclusion risks in essential private-sector services, including banking, utilities, telecommunications, insurance, and healthcare access, are being assessed as part of the wider Government digital wallet programme. [45850/26]

The Government Digital Wallet is being developed in line with the EU eIDAS 2 Regulation, which requires the State to make a Digital Wallet available and for certain private sector entities to accept the Government Digital wallet and European equivalents.

The Government Digital Wallet will play a key role in supporting access to public services, while also enabling interoperability with private-sector services under the EU framework.

Private-sector adoption, for example in banking or telecommunications, will occur within the regulated eIDAS framework, which sets requirements for security, authentication and user control. The Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment’s Charter For Digital Inclusion (enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/supports-for-smes/digital-transformation/charter-for-digital-inclusion/) brings together public bodies, businesses, and community organisations to ensure Ireland remains a global digital leader while supporting those who are not yet able to fully engage online, and build a more inclusive digital future. It places a strong emphasis on partnership, including the role of larger organisations in supporting SMEs and local communities to adopt and benefit from digital technologies. Through collaboration, the Charter supports organisations across all sectors to improve equitable access to digital technologies, services, and opportunities.