113. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the outcomes and next steps arising from the recent AI workforce readiness national skills roundtable; the way in which these findings will inform measures to address AI-related skills needs and strengthen co-ordination across the education and training system, industry, and Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49822/26]

I convened the third in my series of National Skills Roundtables last week to bring together representatives from industry, education and Government to discuss preparing our workforce for the age of AI - one of the most significant challenges and opportunities facing Ireland.

It was evident from the roundtable engagement on the morning that Ireland has a strong foundation and clear ambition regarding Artificial Intelligence skills, however, we need to act with greater speed, coordination, and a focus on building capabilities across the entire workforce to fully realise AI’s economic and societal potential.

Flexible learning is key to helping people across Ireland access the skills needed to benefit from technological change. I launched AIReady.ie in April to complement existing ETB micro-qualifications. At last week's Roundtable event I asked the NSC to work with industry and education on Phase 2, bringing together AI tools and learning resources already developed by those organisations and making them freely available on the platform, with a focus on graduates and SMEs. I have also expanded investment in micro-credentials.

My Department is developing a Statement of Ambition to set priorities for the tertiary sector and the wider skills ecosystem in digital and AI, and a Roadmap for Technology Skills of the Future.

Government cannot address these challenges alone; we need to work with industry to ensure that people across our society are equipped with the skills and confidence to shape the changes ahead. That is the approach I am embedding with the National Skills Roundtable format and I intend to continue with this valuable method of collaboration.