28th September 2026
Ireland must expand and adapt its digital skills pipeline to meet future demand in AI, cybersecurity, software engineering and data
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) today published Skills for Digital Specialists: An Assessment of the Future Skills Needs of Ireland's Digital Specialists to 2030, a major new study examining the future supply and demand of digital specialist skills across the Irish economy. The report finds that demand for digital specialists is expected to grow strongly to 2030, with employers increasingly seeking advanced skills in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, software engineering, cloud technologies and data analytics.
Announced jointly by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, this EGFSN report forms part of the evidence base informing future policy development on technology skills in Ireland.
The report estimates that approximately 168,800 digital specialists were employed in Ireland in 2025. Under its baseline scenario, demand is projected to rise to over 215,000 by 2030. However, current education, training and talent pipelines are unlikely to fully meet demand, with annual shortages potentially reaching approximately 5,500 specialists by 2030 and up to 7,700 under a high-growth scenario.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD said:
“Ireland's success as a modern, innovative and internationally competitive economy depends on our ability to develop the skills needed by enterprise. This report confirms that demand for digital specialists will continue to grow strongly across all sectors and that advanced capabilities in areas such as AI, cyber security, software engineering and data will be increasingly important. The findings provide a valuable evidence base to support Government, enterprise and education providers as we prepare Ireland's workforce for the opportunities and challenges of the digital transition.
“It is clear that while Ireland benefits from a strong digital economy, a highly skilled workforce and a well-developed education and training system, employers are reporting challenges in recruiting people with the advanced technical, practical and multidisciplinary skills increasingly required in the workplace. I commend the EGFSN for this report which makes it very clear what we need to do and what we will do in planning for the future.”
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD said:
“Ireland has invested significantly in expanding digital skills provision across higher education, further education and training, apprenticeships, and lifelong learning. This report highlights the need to build on that progress by ensuring our education and training system remains responsive to the changing needs of learners and employers. It also points to the growing importance of work-based learning and creating opportunities for people to develop new skills as their careers evolve. I welcome this report and look forward to working with the many partners involved to deliver on its recommendations and help ensure Ireland is well placed to meet future skills needs.”
A key finding of the report is that artificial intelligence is changing rather than reducing demand for digital specialists. While some routine tasks and aspects of entry-level work may become increasingly automated, employers expect growth in demand for more advanced and specialised digital roles, particularly in AI implementation, machine learning, data engineering, cyber-security and cloud architecture.
Cyber-security is identified as the fastest-growing technology domain, reflecting the increasing importance of cyber resilience, regulatory compliance, identity management, cloud security and emerging areas such as AI security and post-quantum cryptography.
The report also highlights regional disparities in the availability of digital talent and continuing gender imbalances in digital specialist occupations. Women account for approximately one-fifth of digital specialists in Ireland and remain underrepresented in ICT education and employment pathways.
Chair of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, Colm Kelly, said:
"This study shows that Ireland starts from a position of considerable strength, with a growing digital workforce and a strong international reputation in technology and innovation. However, the pace of technological change means that continuing success cannot be taken for granted. The report points to the need for a coordinated response focused not only on increasing supply, but also on strengthening the quality, relevance and adaptability of Ireland's digital skills system."
The report identifies seven key findings and nine recommended actions aimed at strengthening Ireland's future digital specialist talent pipeline. Recommendations include expanding education and training capacity in high-growth technology areas, enhancing collaboration between industry and education providers, strengthening work-based learning opportunities, scaling up upskilling provision and improving labour-market intelligence and forecasting.
Chair of the Steering Group, Philip Maguire, said:
"The evidence gathered through this study demonstrates the importance of maintaining a dynamic and responsive skills ecosystem. Demand is becoming increasingly concentrated in high-value specialist roles and employers are placing growing emphasis on practical experience, multidisciplinary capabilities and continuous learning. Addressing these challenges will require sustained collaboration between employers, education and training providers, policymakers and learners themselves.
“Our work highlights that Ireland's future digital skills challenge is one of volume, alignment, specialisation and adaptability. It emphasises that stronger work-based learning, flexible upskilling pathways, industry engagement and targeted action on participation and diversity will be critical to ensuring Ireland has the digital specialist talent needed to support future economic growth and innovation. The importance of attracting and retaining international talent should not be underestimated in this space, including the provision of clear employment permit pathways for priority roles”.
Report Link: Skills for Digital Specialists - Future Skills Ireland
Background
The EGFSN advises Government on future skills requirements and labour market issues that affect Ireland’s potential for enterprise development and employment growth. This report was commissioned and funded by DFHERIS to feed into their Roadmap for Technology Skills of the Future and was concluded in summer 2026. The work was overseen by a Steering Group drawn from industry, Government departments, education and training bodies and State agencies.
Media queries:
Expert Group on Future Skills Needs Secretariat
Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION(1)
KEY FINDINGS
Skills for Digital Specialists: Key Findings
The EGFSN report finds that digital specialist skills are increasingly central to Ireland's economy. Around 168,800 digital specialists were employed in 2025, with demand expected to reach about 215,400 by 2030 under the baseline scenario.
Seven key findings
- Demand will continue to grow strongly. Employment is projected to rise from approximately 168,800 digital specialists in 2025 to around 215,400 by 2030.
- Shortages are likely to persist. Current supply routes may leave annual shortages of about 5,500 specialists by 2030, rising above 7,700 in a high-growth scenario.
- Growth is concentrated in advanced domains. Strongest demand is expected in AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, data, cloud and software engineering, with cybersecurity the fastest-growing domain.
- The challenge is qualitative as well as quantitative. Employers report gaps in applied technical ability, practical experience, work-readiness, business understanding, communication, adaptability, ethics and regulatory awareness.
- AI is reshaping skills needs. AI is expected to increase demand for advanced expertise, AI literacy, governance, implementation, security and risk-management skills, while putting pressure on some entry-level pathways.
- Multidisciplinary skills are increasingly valued. Employers need “T-shaped” professionals who combine technical depth with business, communication, teamwork, leadership and change-management capabilities.
- Regional and participation challenges remain. Digital employment is concentrated in Dublin and the Eastern and Midland Region, female participation remains well below parity, and regional shortages persist.
(2) RECOMMENDED ACTIONS The report recommends a coordinated response across Government, enterprise, education and training providers, focused on expanding high-growth skills supply, improving alignment with employer needs, and supporting lifelong learning. Nine recommended actions
- Expand capacity in high-growth domains including AI, cybersecurity, data engineering, cloud and emerging technologies.
- Update curricula continuously so programmes keep pace with technology, labour-market needs, industry practice and regulation.
- Strengthen work-based learning through internships, apprenticeships, industry projects, placements, capstones and employer engagement.
- Scale up upskilling and reskilling through flexible lifelong learning, micro-credentials, modular provision, short specialist courses and industry-recognised qualifications, particularly in AI, cybersecurity and data.
- Embed multidisciplinary and professional skills including communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, ethics, business understanding and change management.
- Improve enterprise-education collaboration on curriculum development, shared infrastructure, skills intelligence, programme design and SME engagement.
- Strengthen diversity, participation and retention by increasing female participation, broadening access, supporting regional skills development, enabling career transitions and retaining talent in Ireland.
- Combine domestic development with international talent attraction by strengthening local pipelines, retaining international graduates, attracting experienced specialists and supporting knowledge transfer.
- Enhance digital skills intelligence through labour-market monitoring, forecasting, horizon scanning, technology trend analysis and evidence-based policy development.
Together, these actions are intended to support a coordinated, regularly updated approach to Ireland's future digital specialist skills needs.
ENDS
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