The Government must get ahead of the threats posed to employment by AI, according to Social Democrats enterprise spokesperson Sinéad Gibney.
Deputy Gibney, who sits on the Oireachtas AI Committee, said:
“Today, the International Monetary Fund confirmed what we have suspected for some time now – that Artificial Intelligence is going to have a dramatic impact on jobs in Ireland.
“The IMF reports that AI could affect over 40% of jobs here due to the fact our economy is ‘relatively more exposed’ than that of other comparable countries to the risks the technology poses to employment.
“Last week, Meta informed the Government that it plans to lay off 20% of its employees. There are 1,800 Meta staff here, 40% fewer than three years ago. Meta has just reported record quarterly profits of $26 billion, or $1 billion every three days, yet it still plans to make around 350 of its staff here unemployed.
“Oracle also plans to cut around 150 Irish jobs, 15% of its staff here, and has said that these changes are directly related to AI. Ireland relies on the tech sector for jobs and its tax take, but the industry is changing at a rapid pace.
“Enterprise Minister Peter Burke has said that the Government will support redundant workers to find employment again, but neither he nor his colleagues have presented a plan for how this will happen. The Coalition must be prepared to face the challenges presented by AI head-on.
“I am reiterating my call for the Minister for Enterprise to engage with the Oireachtas AI Committee to ensure that AI does not become the great divider it threatens to, and to present a coherent plan for how the Government plans to address its challenges.”
May 25th, 2026