The Digital Shift
As more aspects of everyday life move online—including shopping, banking, accessing information, and interacting with public services—reliable, affordable, and high-quality internet access has become essential. With remote and hybrid working remaining common across many sectors, internet connectivity is no longer a luxury but a critical tool for economic participation, education, and social inclusion. Ensuring equitable access to digital services is vital to prevent already disadvantaged or marginalised groups from falling further behind.
Digitalisation and Connectivity in Ireland
Despite significant progress, gaps in connectivity persist, particularly in rural parts of Ireland. Limited or poor broadband access continues to contribute to the digital divide, which can exacerbate educational and economic inequalities. Addressing these disparities remains a key challenge as society becomes increasingly dependent on digital technologies. Internet connectivity in Ireland reached 95 per cent in 2025, with fixed broadband remaining the dominant form of access, available in 87 per cent of households. Encouragingly, the urban-rural connectivity gap is narrowing. While 97 per cent of households in Dublin have fixed broadband access, the figure for the rest of the country has risen to 93 per cent.
Digital engagement among older people is also increasing. In 2025, 63 per cent of individuals aged 75 and over had used the internet within the previous three months, up from 54 per cent in 2024. Among these users, more than three-quarters reported going online every day, highlighting the growing importance of digital connectivity across all age groups.
Ireland continues to perform strongly at European level. In 2023, it ranked third in the European Union for the proportion of individuals possessing above-basic digital skills. The country performs above the EU average across several indicators, including the number of ICT specialists, female ICT professionals, and ICT graduates. Basic digital skills among the Irish population have risen to 70 per cent, compared with an EU average of 54 per cent.
The education system has also placed increased emphasis on digital competence. The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027, published in 2022, builds on previous initiatives by promoting the integration of digital technologies into teaching, learning, and assessment. The strategy also focuses on developing digital skills and fostering awareness of safe and ethical internet use.
While Ireland's overall internet usage is broadly in line with the European average, the growing reliance on online platforms reflects a broader shift from face-to-face interaction towards digital engagement. Ireland performs particularly well in the delivery of digital public services, although some areas, such as the use of pre-filled online forms, remain below the EU average.
As public and private services increasingly operate online, those lacking digital skills or internet access risk exclusion from essential aspects of daily life. Ensuring that all citizens can access and benefit from digital services must remain a priority.
Online regulation has also evolved in response to these changes. The responsibility for regulating broadcasting, video-on-demand services, and online safety now rests with Coimisiún na Meán. Following the appointment of an Online Safety Commissioner in 2023, the Online Safety Code was introduced in 2024, establishing a new framework for protecting users in digital environments.
Further progress is expected under Ireland's Digital and AI Strategy, published in 2026. The strategy sets out an ambitious programme of reforms, including the digitalisation of all key public services, an AI literacy campaign for small and medium-sized enterprises, the establishment of a Cyber Security Research Centre, and the development of a Roadmap for Technology Skills of the Future.
National Broadband Plan
Broadband infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, is central to Ireland's ability to compete in a globalised economy while supporting balanced regional development. As remote and hybrid working continue to offer greater flexibility, reliable broadband can enable people to live and work outside major urban centres, helping to revitalise rural communities and reduce pressure on housing and infrastructure in cities.
The successful and timely implementation of the National Broadband Plan will therefore be critical to ensuring that all regions of Ireland can fully participate in the opportunities offered by an increasingly digital society.