Ireland - Harmessing Digital: The Digital Ireland Framework

The Harmessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework was adopted by the Government of Ireland in 2022. Aims to increase adoption of digital technologies by all businesses, in particular SMEs, and maximise the benefits of the digital transition for the wider ecosystem, across productivity, innovation and competitiveness.

The priorities of the Digital Ireland Framework

• more flexible and remote working and new job opportunities;
• new markets and customers for businesses;
• more efficient and accessible public services for all;
• opportunities to learn or participate in social activities.

Main objectives in priority areas

• making connectivity available to everyone, including through the National Broadband Plan, Remote Working Hubs and Broadband Connection Points, with a target of having all Irish households and businesses covered by Gigabit network no later than 2028 and all populated areas covered by 5G no later than 2030.
• providing digital skills for all – from school, to further and higher education, to life-long learning, with a target of increasing the share of adults with at least basic digital skills to 80% by 2030.
• ensuring widespread access and use of inclusive digital public services, with a target of 90% of services to be consumed online by 2030.
• helping small businesses benefit from digital opportunities by providing grants and assistance, with a target of 90% of SME at basic digital intensity by 2030 and 75% enterprise take-up in cloud, AI and big data.
• investing in cyber-security to protect Irish citizens and businesses, including increased resources for the National Cyber Security Centre.
• ensuring a modern and well-resourced regulatory framework.
• playing a leading role in Europe right across the digital agenda.

The major targets under the digital skills and competences pillar are the following:

• High-Level Digital Skills: Ensuring a strong pipeline of talent and expertise for the economy through the development of high-level digital skills;
• Digital Skills for the Labour Market: Supporting appropriate levels of digital skills for the labour force as a whole;
• Digital Skills for Society: Ensuring digital skills for the general population, to enable all cohorts to fully engage in society, and benefit from digital transformation.

This digital strategy aligns with both EU priorities, under the Digital Decade, and national priorities, under the 2021 Economic Recovery Plan and Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan. It also complements work towards achieving Ireland’s climate targets.