Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:262. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage of Irish SMEs using cloud, big data and AI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22721/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 21 May 2024
Ceisteanna (262)
Freagraí scríofa
Ireland's digitalisation goals and actions to achieve them are set out in the National Digital Strategy, Harnessing Digital. Our target is to reach 90% of SMEs at basic digital intensity by 2030.
The EU's Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), published as part of the Report on the State of the Digital Decade on 27 September 2023, shows that Ireland holds a leading position in the EU with 85% of SMEs with at least a basic level of digital intensity.
The 2023 DESI also shows that 22.7% of businesses with over 10 employees are using big data (5th in EU); 47% are using cloud (8th in EU), and 7.9% are using AI (13th in EU). These results draw on data from 2020.
I am determined that we will achieve the targets set out in Harnessing Digital for use of big data, the cloud, and AI in advance of the 2030 strategy due date.
Funding for digitalisation is available through the €58 million Digital Transition Fund, and almost 300 companies have been approved for funding to date under this fund.
Digitalisation support, including advice, consultancy and grants, is also available through the Local Enterprise Offices, and the SME support package, launched last week, widened the eligibility for the Trading Online Voucher, by extending it to all sectors up to 50 employees, expanding the eligible expenditure, and doubling the grant to €5,000.
A new Digital Portal will shortly be launched to help businesses on the digitalisation journey, and the National Enterprise Hub will also be launched for SMEs to access information on the wide range of Government business supports, including those related to the digitalisation of business.
Government has also established four European Digital Innovation Hubs to help businesses, and SMEs in particular, in evaluating and adopting digital tools. The Hubs serve as 'one-stop shops' with research organisation at the core, providing access to technical expertise and experimentation, as well as innovation services, and the training and skills development necessary for successful digital transformation.