Minister of State welcomes Pre Market Engagement on AI Systems, Governance, and Training to Support Future Public Service Digitalisation
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Ó: An Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí, Bonneagair, Athchóiriúcháin Seirbhíse Poiblí agus Digitiúcháin
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The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, through the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), today announced the launch of a preliminary market consultation (PMC) on AI Systems, Governance and Training. This information gathering exercise is part of a strategy that will inform the feasibility of establishing a central procurement arrangement, capable of supporting the AI requirements of Public Bodies in what is a fast‑evolving landscape. This PMC will focus on areas such as market capacity and capability, governance, risk management, and compliance.
Minister of State at the Department, Frank Feighan, TD, welcomed the consultation notice, saying
“This engagement marks a significant step in advancing Ireland’s commitment to responsible and effective AI adoption across public services, in line with the EU AI Act and Government’s digital transformation priorities that are outlined in the Programme for Government.
"The consultation exercise will enable Government to understand market capacity, identify risks and support SMEs. It will also aid in ensuring that transparency, ethics, sustainability, and data protection are embedded in any potential future AI central procurement arrangement for the public sector.”
The Government has identified AI and digitalisation as strategic priorities under the current Programme for Government. The department works to modernise the public service and achieve value for money in public service delivery, leading on digitalisation and data reform in the public services. In May 2025, the Department published the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service, reinforcing the critical importance of ethical and transparent AI deployment.
The OGP emphasises that this is simply a request for information and is not a competition or procurement process. The consultation invites responses from organisations that provide a wide range of AI-related products and services. More information is available on eTenders, Ireland’s national tendering website.