2876. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the usage of artificial intelligence within her Department; the categories of usage; the usage of artificial intelligence within any bodies under the aegis of her Department; the categories of usage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57218/26]

The Department uses artificial intelligence as a general productivity and administrative support tool. Microsoft Copilot Chat was made available through Teams to all staff in November 2025.

Current categories of use include:

• drafting and editing;

• searching and summarising information;

• meeting preparation and note-taking;

• data analysis and reporting;

• research and idea generation; and

• developing presentations and internal communications materials.

AI is used to assist staff in carrying out these activities and does not replace staff judgement, review or approval. The Department continues to develop its approach to AI governance, training and awareness to support its safe, responsible and appropriate use.

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 the Deputy's query on to our aegis bodies for direct response.