40. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures being taken by his Department to support the adoption of artificial intelligence by SMEs; the supports available through his Department and enterprise agencies to assist SMEs in developing AI capability and competitiveness. [66697/26]

The Government recognises that AI and digital technologies present significant opportunities for SMEs to enhance productivity, competitiveness and innovation across all sectors of the economy.

Our new National Digital & AI Strategy, Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future, sets out a clear and ambitious roadmap for advancing Ireland’s digital and AI capabilities in the years ahead, recognising digital competitiveness as a foundation for economic resilience.

My key focus in Digital Ireland is to position Ireland as a location of choice for AI and Digital start-ups and to accelerate the adoption of AI across our enterprise base to enhance competitiveness and productivity.

Recognising that adoption pathways differ across sectors, the Government is developing a sector-specific AI adoption strategy, initially focused on manufacturing, ICT services, tourism and construction, which together represent a significant share of Ireland’s businesses and employment. Enterprise Ireland is also appointing AI Sector Champions to highlight AI opportunities in various sectors and developing AI adoption roadmaps for its client companies.

The AI – Good for Business initiative, provides business with a single point of access to information, supports and practical examples of AI adoption.   As part of this initiative, a nationwide series of Ministerial roadshows, delivered in conjunction with Local Enterprise Offices is helping SMEs understand how AI can be applied in practice and what supports are available.  The Government's Charter for Digital Inclusion also highlights the important role larger businesses can play in supporting SMEs in their digital and AI adoption journey.

This builds on the existing suite of digital and AI supports which includes:-

• The Grow Digital Voucher (up to €5,000) to assist small businesses in adopting digital tools, including AI;

• The Digital for Business Consultancy Scheme, which provides expert advice and tailored digital roadmaps;

• European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) across the country, which offer hands-on support to test and deploy advanced technologies, supported by an additional €23 million in funding;

• A wide range of upskilling and reskilling programmes delivered through CeADAR, SOLAS, ETBs, Skillnet Ireland and Springboard+.

• Cyber Security Grant, which SMEs can access up to 80% funding through a two-stage cybersecurity grant program run by Enterprise Ireland and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

• A new dedicated cyber security website for SMEs - SME CORE. Developed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the platform provides free, practical, and accessible guidance to help SMEs manage and understand risks.

These supports are under continual review to ensure they remain aligned with evolving enterprise needs.

The recently established AI Office of Ireland is a major milestone. The functions of the Office include promoting safe AI adoption and innovation, providing clarity and regulatory certainty to SMEs through coordination of the EU AI Act and to oversee the development of an AI regulatory sandbox.

Finally, as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, we will host an International AI Summit on 14 October 2026 at the RDS. Under the theme ‘Harnessing AI to Revolutionise Europe’s Competitiveness’ , this event will highlight how organisations of all sizes can use AI to drive productivity, innovation and competitiveness.