Tánaiste welcomes publication of latest Department of Finance Economic Insights
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From: Department of Finance
- Published on: 18 February 2026
- Last updated on: 18 February 2026
- Analysis focuses on impact of AI on employment patterns in Ireland.
Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris, has today (18th February) welcomed the publication of the first volume of the Department’s Economic Insight series for 2026.
The latest edition includes three notes which examine key developments currently shaping the Irish labour market, with a particular focus on the impact of Artificial Intelligence.
Key findings include:
- Ireland’s labour market is highly exposed to AI, with strong growth in AI-related skills demand and emerging evidence that AI may be beginning to influence employment patterns – particularly in highly digitised sectors and among younger workers.
- As such, policy responses will need to be proactive while supporting workers in exposed sectors to up-skill and re-skill where necessary;
- While the pace of employment growth has moderated in recent quarters after an exceptionally strong post-pandemic expansion, a range of indicators suggest that the overall labour market remains relatively tight;
Commenting on the release, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris TD, said:
“Our labour market has shown remarkable resilience in recent years, with employment at record levels and unemployment remaining low by historical standards.
“At the same time, we know that we are now entering a period of profound technological change. Artificial Intelligence is rapidly moving from development into real-world deployment, and today’s analysis suggests that Ireland – as one of Europe’s most digitally advanced economies – may be at the frontier of these changes.
“AI presents significant opportunities to enhance productivity and strengthen our competitiveness, but we must also ensure that workers and firms are equipped to adapt. That means investing in skills, supporting life-long learning, and continuing to roll out enterprise supports that help firms adopt and deploy new technologies.
“Today’s Insights also show that, despite some moderation in employment growth, overall labour market conditions remain solid. My priority is to sustain that strength while preparing for the structural changes that lie ahead.”
Ends
Note to editors:
- The Department’s latest Economic Insights release is available here:
Economic Insights – Volume 1 2026 - Previous editions are available here:
Economic Insights