Government aiming for 5G in ‘all populated areas’ by 2030
The Government has published its roadmap for a digital decade in line with requirements under the EU Digital Decade strategy, including digital skills targets for the labour force and for all populated areas to be covered by 5G no later than 2030.
The first Report on the State of the Digital Decade was published by the European Commission on 27 September 2023. The report, which includes EU wide and member state-specific recommendations, takes stock of progress towards a successful digital transformation.
The National Strategic Roadmap for the EU Digital Decade Policy Programme, published in May 2024, sets out targets on skills, digital infrastructure, digital transformation of business, and digitalisation of public services.
Regarding skills, the Government aims to produce a “digitally skilled population” where at least 80 per cent of people aged between 16 and 74 have at least “basic digital skills”, with a further aim of achieving gender balance. Government is also aiming to increase the number of graduates with digital skills to over 12,400.
Within digital infrastructure, the Government states that all Irish households and businesses must be covered with gigabit network no later than 2028. On data, the Government states that there will be 23 public sector edge notes by 2025, and that Ireland will play its part in the EU having its first computer with quantum acceleration by 2025, ensuring that the EU plays a leading role in the innovation of quantum capabilities by 2030.
Additionally, on the digital transformation of business, the Government has outlined targets of 90 per cent of SMEs acquiring a basic digital intensity level by 2030, and enterprise take-up of 75 per cent in cloud computing, big data, and AI by 2030.
The Government is further targeting that at least 800 business are supported by 2026 under the €85 million Digital Transition Fund to support businesses in digitalising. At least 35 per cent of state funding for start-up and early-stage businesses are invested in “innovative digital businesses” as of 2022.
“We need to look at how we can use AI and how we can integrate it into public services.”
Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD
Focusing on the vision of the digitalisation of public services, the Government states that 90 per cent of all government services will be available online by 2030.
On eHealth, the digitalisation of public services aims to ensure that 80 per cent of Irish citizens have access to core components of their digital health record. It is also aimed for 80 per cent of citizens to be using MyGovID by 2030.
Speaking on his vision for public services in the decade ahead, Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform Paschal Donohoe TD said in May 2024 that Ireland is “using IT to deliver a digital understanding of delivering our public services in an innovative way”.
Donohoe has also said that artificial intelligence (AI) must be utilised and that “we need to look at how we can use AI and how we can integrate it into public services”.
