22. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the impact of increased AI use within the public service, as encouraged through his Department's publication, Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the public service, will impact public sector jobs. [74842/26]

My Department is taking a proactive, coordinated approach to enabling the responsible and effective adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across the Public Service, both to improve service delivery and to maintain public trust. Our objective is to ensure that public servants have the skills, confidence and organisational support required to use AI effectively.

This approach is central to Better Public Services 2030, particularly its priorities of Digital and Innovation at Scale, a Workforce and Organisation of the Future, and Evidence-Informed Policies and Services Designed for and with our Public. AI adoption should strengthen the capacity of the public-service workforce, by reducing the administrative burden of repetitive processes and free up more time for higher order work involving complex cases, professional judgement, policy analysis and engagement with the public.

The Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service, published in May 2025, provides the framework for this approach. The Guidelines place particular emphasis on human agency and oversight, accountability, transparency and AI literacy. They are intended to equip Public Service Bodies and their staff with the skills needed to assess when AI is appropriate, manage its risks and retain meaningful human involvement in decisions and service delivery.

The Government’s approach is therefore centred on responsible adoption, workforce capability and measured implementation. To meet this ambition, a programme to support Irish workers and business to adopt AI was launched at the International AI Summit in Dublin last week. This features a suite of 35 actions to be taken across Government, many of which are focussed on the public sector.

My Department is working with the Institute of Public Administration to develop a Digital Academy offering digital, data and AI learning pathways from 2027, building on approximately 20,000 AI-trained staff who have already participated in courses designed specifically for public servants.

My Department is also working on the development and deployment of shared whole-of-Government AI digital building blocks, supported by an AI Advisory Unit, which will provide common platforms, expertise, standards and governance to public service bodies.

While there is still a good deal of uncertainty about the longer-term impacts of AI on the labour market as use of this technology continues to grow, my Department will continue to monitor AI adoption and its workforce implications within the public service. The objective is to ensure that AI augments public servants, that appropriate human oversight is maintained, and that staff are supported to acquire the skills needed as roles and working practices evolve over time.