14th May 2025
Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth, today announced a major step forward in Ireland’s journey toward a more inclusive digital society with a call to action on the forthcoming Charter for Digital Inclusion.
The Charter is a key deliverable under “Digital for Good: Ireland’s Digital Inclusion Roadmap”, published in August 2023, which forms part of the Government’s National Digital Strategy. It aims to ensure that no one is left behind as digital technologies become increasingly central to how we live, work, and connect.
The Minister said:
“Digital technology is transforming every aspect of our lives—but not everyone has equal access to its benefits,”.
“This Charter is a call to action for businesses and organisations across Ireland to embed digital inclusion into their everyday operations. By signing the Charter, organisations commit to impactful actions to ensure that digital opportunities are accessible to all.”
The Charter will outline a set of core commitments focused on accessibility, equity, affordability, and the development of digital skills. It will serve as a framework for collaboration between the public sector, large enterprises, SMEs, community organisations and citizens.
Minister Smyth emphasised the importance of partnership, particularly the role of larger businesses in supporting SMEs to adopt and benefit from digital technologies:
“By working together—big and small businesses, public bodies and communities—we can create a supportive ecosystem that benefits everyone. When large companies help SMEs go digital, the entire economy gains.”
The Minister highlighted successful examples already underway, including:
- Google’s 500 AI scholarships for local communities in 2024, aimed at boosting digital and AI skills.
- Enterprise Nation and Vodafone Ireland’s ‘Tech Hub’ initiative, which helps Irish SMEs understand and adopt AI tools.
Minister Smyth added:
“These are the kinds of impactful actions we want to encourage through the Charter.”
To support the initiative, the Department will launch a dedicated webpage outlining the Charter’s principles and showcasing real-world examples of digital inclusion in action. This platform will serve as a hub for inspiration, collaboration, and progress tracking.
“This isn’t just a government initiative—today is a call to action. I invite businesses, public bodies, and community leaders to sign the Charter and join us in building a more digitally inclusive Ireland.”
Notes for Editors
What is a Charter for Digital Inclusion:
Digital for Good: Ireland’s Digital Inclusion Roadmap was published in August 2023 and reflects the commitment in Harnessing Digital to ensure the Government better serves people who are not able to engage online and promotes the United Nations principle of “Leave No One Behind”.
A Charter for Digital Inclusion aims to support public and private organisations to join efforts in ensuring equitable access to the use of digital technologies, services, and associated opportunities for everyone. The Charter is a set of commitments to which business and other organisations can sign up to maximise their efforts in contributing to bridging the digital gap by promoting basic digital skills, building awareness and helping people get online.
In line with Ireland’s Digital Inclusion Roadmap which identifies access, affordability and ability as key determinants for digital inclusion, digital exclusion encompasses not only the lack of access to technologies and services but also the absence of necessary digital skills and literacy to fully benefit from them. This digital gap can hinder individuals and organisations from fully participating in the digital economy and society.
Addressing it involves strong commitments in the following areas:
- Improving Access: Ensuring that everyone has access to affordable and reliable internet and digital equipment.
- Enhancing Digital Literacy: Providing education and training to develop essential digital skills.
- Policy and Advocacy: Encouraging policies that promote digital inclusion.
We will promote joint action in tackling these areas to work towards a more inclusive digital future where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will invite public bodies, businesses, and community organisations to endorse this Charter, adopt its principles, and join in building a more inclusive digital future for all.
Charter for Digital Inclusion Principles:
Our commitments to digital inclusion are guided by the following core principles:
- Equity: Ensuring no one is left behind in the digital age.
- Accessibility: Designing digital services that are usable by all, including people with disabilities or limited digital skills.
- Affordability: Supporting initiatives that make devices and internet access affordable for underserved populations.
- Digital Skills for Life: Promoting lifelong learning and digital literacy at all levels.
- Trust and Safety: Upholding the highest standards in cybersecurity, privacy, and ethical data use.
- Innovation through Collaboration: Encouraging partnership across sectors to drive local and national solutions.
- Evidence-Led Action: Using data and research to guide, measure, and improve our efforts.
Commitments for Digital Inclusion:
Businesses and organisations can choose the commitments that best align with their goals.
The Charter asks businesses and organisations to take action by selecting from the list of commitments below.
- We will integrate the digital inclusion principles into our everyday operations and recognise the value of digital tools in supporting wellbeing, access to services, and economic empowerment.
- We commit to providing all staff with the opportunity to develop essential digital skills and actively encourage participation in this learning.
- We commit to making our website easy to use, accessible to all, and designed to support everyone—regardless of ability or experience—in getting online, accessing services, building digital confidence, and embracing digital tools.
- We will support digital inclusion initiatives, embracing the United Nations principle of “Leave No One Behind”.
- We will seek to build local and national partnerships with other organisations, sharing ideas and coordinating efforts to achieve a greater impact collectively.
- We will support sustainability by encouraging the donation of digital equipment to organisations/communities in need.
ENDS
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