Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2023
160. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total budget 2023 allocation for the National Digital Strategy; the capital, current and total budget 2022 allocation for the National Digital Strategy; the percentage difference compared to the budget 2023 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4481/23]
View answerHarnessing Digital - the Digital Ireland Framework reflects Ireland’s ambition to continue to be a digital leader at the heart of European and global digital developments. As the National Digital Strategy, it sets out a roadmap to drive and enable the digital transition across Enterprise; Infrastructure; Skills; and Public Services, in line with the EU’s Digital Decade. It complements work towards achieving Ireland’s climate targets.
Implementation of the Strategy is driven via cross-government coordination structures, reporting to the Cabinet Committee on the Economy and Investment. This includes regular engagement between the Senior Officials Group on Digital Issues and the Digital Regulators Group.
Government published a Progress Report in December 2022 which highlighted significant progress including a new Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum, an €85 million Digital Transition Fund; a new Digital Strategy for Schools, and new Digital Connectivity Strategy to 2030; and the development of a new Digital Healthcare Framework 2023-2027.
Harnessing Digital also re-enforces our firm commitment to a modern, cohesive, well-resourced regulatory framework to effectively oversee and enforce digital regulations.
Recent progress in this regard includes the Government’s decision to designate the new Coimisiún na Meán (Media Commission) as Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator, under the Digital Services Act. Work is ongoing to ensure the Media Commission (which will create a regulatory framework for online safety), and our Digital Services Coordinator are in place, and operating effectively as quickly as possible.
Harnessing Digital is a whole of Government Strategy and therefore there are initiatives underway across various Government Departments and Agencies. Under both Budget 2022 and Budget 2023, the National Digital Strategy was not directly allocated funding for its implementation.
