About AI search on gov.ie

AI search uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help you find information published on gov.ie. It uses a hybrid approach that combines traditional keyword searching with AI-assisted ranking to identify and prioritise the most relevant content for your query.

AI search:

• helps you find information more quickly
• identifies content based on the intent of your search, rather than only matching exact words
• improves the relevance of search results

To use AI search, enter your query in the main search bar on gov.ie. You will be taken to a search results page where you can choose between the AI search and classic search tabs.

AI search is currently in beta and has been tested against real user questions across everyday topics (for example: social welfare, pensions, tax, housing). During the beta phase, the service will continue to be tested and improved.

As part of the beta phase, AI search is available only for the main gov.ie search.

During the beta phase:

• search results may not always return the most relevant content
• some content may not be returned as expected
• functionality and performance may change as improvements are made
• user feedback is being used to help improve the service

The beta phase will help us assess the performance, usefulness and effectiveness of AI search as we continue to develop and improve the service.

Start using AI search on gov.ie.

We are continually working to improve the accuracy and relevance of search results.

You can use the feedback form available on the search results page to:

• report incorrect results or technical issues
• identify missing or outdated content
• suggest improvements to search results

Feedback is used to improve search performance, content discoverability and the overall user experience.

Search results depend on the content published on gov.ie. If you identify missing, outdated or unclear content, please let us know using the feedback form.

AI search is currently available through the main search function on gov.ie.

AI search capabilities are not currently available for department-specific or other gov.ie search pages, such as Circulars and Consultations.

These search pages continue to use the classic search functionality. Therefore, AI search results may differ from those returned by classic search.

When you enter a query, the system:

• searches across webpages published on gov.ie
• uses AI-assisted ranking to identify and prioritise the most relevant content
• returns a list of results ranked according to the relevance of your query

AI search cannot:

• access information held about you in government systems or records
• return information that is not published on gov.ie
• search content published in certain formats, including PDF documents, spreadsheets and videos

AI search uses a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) approach. This combines large language models with search technologies to generate answers based on relevant information published on gov.ie.

Retrieval is a hybrid model, not pure keyword or pure semantic:

1. A query planner interprets the search query.
2. Hybrid full-text + vector search runs in parallel.
3. Results are merged.
4. A custom re-ranker (tuned for Irish/Hiberno-English usage) reorders the final result set.

The combination is: keyword (full-text) + semantic (vector/entity-aware embeddings), fused and then re-ranked in line with the user's query.

The service uses a core open-source language model together with embedding and re-ranking models to improve the relevance and accuracy of search results.

These models are hosted on cloud infrastructure and use security and safety controls, including input and output guardrails, to support safe and responsible operation.

Because the core model is open source, the service is not dependent on a single AI model vendor, and components can be updated over time as the service evolves.

The retrieval and re-ranking components are configured/tuned rather than trained from scratch - the re-ranker specifically has been tuned on Irish-language and Hiberno-English query patterns.

AI search is designed and operated in compliance with applicable data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Please do not enter personal, financial, health or other sensitive information when using AI search. Search activity and user feedback may be analysed to help improve the performance, relevance and quality of the service.

For more information about how information is processed, please go to the gov.ie Privacy Notice.

Where data is processed

All content ingestion, indexing and query processing takes place within a secure cloud environment hosted in the European Economic Area (EEA).

Queries submitted to AI search are transmitted securely and processed in real time. No international transfers of data are involved.

Whether a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) was completed

Yes. A Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) was completed as part of the development of AI search.

The service has been designed and implemented in line with the department's obligations under the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

We are committed to the responsible use of AI in public services.

AI search follows Ireland's Guidelines for the Responsible Use of AI in the Public Service.

In line with the transparency commitments set out in the project's DPIA and the EU AI Act's transparency requirements, users are informed that AI is in use and are provided with links to original source material in all responses.