4299. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide an overview of the AI policy in place within his Department; if AI has been incorporated into any work streams; if AI is ever used in reply to parliamentary questions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58667/26]

My department recognises the potential benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) and is guided by the Guidelines for Responsible Use of AI in the Public Service (DPENDR, 2025) and relevant National Cyber Security Centre guidance on AI Risk Assessment (NCSC, 2026) and Secure AI Adoption in the Public Sector (NCSC, 2026).

An internal Interim Strategy on AI use has been developed by my department, informed by these guidance documents. In accordance with the guidance and interim strategy, AI is currently being used within my department on a limited pilot basis through a secure deployment of Microsoft Copilot for a designated group of staff who have completed relevant training. The categories of usage currently being tested are administrative and productivity-support functions, including document summarisation, information retrieval, and support for routine workplace tasks. The Interim Strategy makes clear that all AI-generated outputs remain subject to human oversight and are reviewed, verified and validated by department officials before use. I can confirm that AI is not being used to draft replies to parliamentary questions.

My department will continue to engage with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer regarding any future expansion of AI use in line with Government policy and best practice.