2804. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number and proportion of staff who have completed AI-related training programmes since January 2024; the levels of training, introductory or advanced use; to confirm the associated expenditure on each level of training provided, by her Department and public body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55867/26]

The Department began its programme of AI-related training in November 2025, when Microsoft Copilot Chat was made available through Teams to all staff. An introductory session was provided, with a recording of the session shared with all staff via the Department's Intranet.

Since then, further Department-wide, divisional and unit-specific sessions have been delivered. Training has primarily focused on introductory and practical use, including effective prompting and the safe and responsible use of AI.

As these were awareness and practical-support sessions rather than formal accredited programmes, centralised completion figures are not currently available. Therefore, a reliable number or proportion of staff who completed training cannot be provided. All training to date has been delivered using internal resources, with no associated external expenditure.

The Department has adopted the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of AI in the Public Service and is developing a Department-specific AI Framework. A suite of supporting documents, including an AI Policy, staff guidance and a Training and Awareness Plan has been prepared and is progressing through the Department’s approval process. The framework is intended to align AI use with the EU AI Act and relevant public-service, data protection and cybersecurity requirements.

The Department has an AI governance group in place to oversee the Department’s approach. Governance arrangements include an AI Register and a proportionate use-case assessment process to ensure that proposed uses are assessed, recorded and subject to appropriate safeguards.

The Department has sent your query on to the aegis bodies under the Department's remit, who will reply to the Deputy directly.