Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 April 2025
199. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the steps his Department is taking to improve data collection and database construction in anticipation of the increased data processing capacity that artificial intelligence adoption entails; if he will outline the logic behind their approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18357/25]
View answerMy Department has been undertaking a modernisation exercise to update systems written in legacy software, and also to meet new requirements as they arise. The opportunity has been taken to standardise the data points in a methodical fashion across these systems, which will in due course facilitate the broader use of Data Analytics and Machine Leaning / Artificial Intelligence capabilities across the data estate. Having Department data in such a standardised format will reduce time spent on data clean-up and facilitate the interrogation of disparate datasets. Data validation at the point of entry will reduce errors and enable the Department to provide an enhanced service to our internal and external stakeholders.
My Department is also embracing opportunities to enhance data such as by the inclusion of the UBIN which will provide a unique identifier for business users. My Department led the development of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy - “AI – Here for Good”. As part of this Strategy, the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) play a key role in providing advice and guidance on the deployment of AI tools across the public sector including to my Department. Specifically, Strand 4 AI Serving the Public focuses on driving the use of A.I. across Government, which is overseen by the GovTech Delivery Board with supporting workstreams in relation to data (as a foundational enabler for the deployment of A.I.), security, ethical considerations and future skills.
The National AI Strategy and this cross-government engagement will continue to inform my Department's future approach in seeking to leverage A.I. in relation to the work and functions of the Department.
