MARC, a Dublin-based AI company, is changing how large real estate portfolios manage contract and expense data. Backed by investors including Jack Pierse (Wayflyer), Susan Spence (SoftCo), Tom Kennedy (Hostelworld), and more, founder Aaron Devitt built MARC to reinvent how critical asset management data is managed at scale. Since launching in 2024, MARC has scaled from 40-unit Irish property managers to 25,000-unit US-based owners.

After seeing firsthand how poor property management practices affected renters and asset managers, then 22-year-old Devitt deferred from college to build proptech startup, Marc to serve as the contract-to-invoice truth layer for the property industry. MARC's AI agents turn buried vendor contracts into structured, live operational data, cutting work that typically takes 2-3 months down to a matter of seconds.

Large property portfolios can involve thousands of vendor contracts covering services, licenses, and certifications. Critical details such as renewal dates, termination rights, escalation clauses, and fee structures are often scattered across inboxes, shared drives, and legacy systems, making budgeting, routine audits, asset sales and invoice comparison reviews slow and error-prone.

MARC builds AI Contract Agents that locate, uncover, read, and structure every contract across fragmented organisations.

MARC addresses this by deploying AI agents that plug directly into existing document stores, including email inboxes and SharePoint. The system automatically locates contracts, extracts key terms, and organises them into a live source of truth that teams can query instantly, enabling asset management teams to operate 200 times faster than humans.

MARC also compares historically buried contract terms against monthly invoices, helping institutional operators identify discrepancies and over billings before they impact net operating income (NOI).

Since launching in 2024, MARC has grown from serving local Irish property managers to working with institutional owners managing 5,000–35,000 units across the U.S. and Canada. Its customers now represent more than $80 billion in assets under management.

After securing some of Ireland's largest property managers as customers, including Sherry Fitzgerald Lettings and DNG Lettings, in 2025, the MARC team began to serve institutional real estate owners across North America. The company now works with multiple operators managing between 5,000 and 30,000 residential units across more than 20 U.S. states. Today, MARC's customers represent a combined assets-under-management (AUM) figure of over $75 billion.

"When you manage thousands of units, contract data directly affects asset values, but most teams can't access that data quickly or reliably," said Aaron Devitt, Founder and CEO of MARC. "On top of this, the relationship between the Accounts Payable (AP) systems and Contract Management Systems (CMS) have been historically disconnected, causing marginal and continuous over billing at scale. To the tune of many millions of dollars for larger residential portfolios."

"This is why we built MARC, the connective layer between the CMS and the AP systems, ensuring every portfolio contract is accurate, up-to-date and being billed for accordingly, without thousands of human hours required to find, vet, and verify thousands of contracts."

MARC has raised a $1 million pre-seed round from 23 angel investors, with no venture capital participation. Backers include Jack Pierse (Wayflyer), Tom Kennedy (Hostelworld), Susan Spence (SoftCo), Eoghan Quigley (Dublin Chamber of Commerce), and James McGann (Unmind), alongside multiple institutional real estate investors and U.S.-based multifamily executives. The funding is being deployed to advance the product and drive expansion into the North American market.

"Backing founders like Aaron is how we continue to build Ireland's next generation of global technology companies," said Jack Pierse, co-founder of Wayflyer. "MARC is tackling a ...

Learnovate, a leading global future of work and learning research hub in Trinity College Dublin, is leading a new Community of Practice for AI implementers and practitioners involved in teaching and learning.

The Responsible AI for Learning (RAIL) initiative will allow practitioners to share knowledge, interpret guidelines, and comply with AI regulations.

Learnovate is leading the RAIL initiative, which is made up of professionals from all four education domains, including schools, higher education, vocational education and training, and professional education, as well as representatives from the Department of Education, teaching unions, and other sectors.

RAIL was formed in November last year when more than 50 professionals in the education sector came together in Trinity College Dublin to discuss the need for a collective interpretation of the AI Advisory Council's guidelines on the use of AI in education.

There was also agreement at the meeting on the need for a facility to share knowledge, discuss the opportunities and risks accompanying the use of AI in education, and support each other in complying with the EU AI Act.

RAIL will host its inaugural meeting on February 24 2026. The one-hour event is one of three virtual meetings set to take place this year, with a fourth in-person event to follow in November. Those wishing to attend the free event can register at www.learnovatecentre.org/events

The February 24 meeting will be led by Dr Gill Ferrell, Executive Director for Europe of 1EdTech, a global organisation promoting and supporting education standards and protocols for K-12 through to higher education and professional education. She will deliver a presentation to the event entitled, 'A European and Global Perspective on AI in Education: Opportunity, Risk, and a Vision for the Future'.

Dr Ferrell's expertise is in understanding, managing and guiding the use of technology in learning. She has held senior roles with Jisc, the agency that manages shared services for education institutions and provides advice and guidance to UK education, and has published research in curriculum, student data, social media, assessment and feedback, and design of learning spaces. She has also worked with Universities and Colleges Information Systems Association (UCISA) and European University Information Systems Association (EUNIS).

The Community of Practice will be chaired in 2026 by Jonathan Dempsey, Commercial Lead for Diotima, an AI-enabled platform for formative assessment and feedback.

Diotima supports teaching practice using responsible AI to provide learners with feedback, leading to more and better assessments and improved learning outcomes for students, and a more manageable workload for teachers.

In 2025, Diotima received €500,000 in funding from the Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund, which helps third-level researchers to translate their research into innovative and commercially viable products, services and companies.

Diotima partnered with Learnovate in February last year and will spin out of Trinity College Dublin as a company in 2026.

The Learnovate Centre at Trinity College Dublin is a leading global future of work and learning research hub funded by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.

Learnovate Managing Director Nessa McEniff said:

"Learnovate is delighted to lead the formation of Responsible AI for Learning, a new Community of Practice. The group was formed following the publication of the guidelines on the use of AI in education by the AI Advisory Council. Rather than try to interpret those guidelines in a silo, implementers and practitioners came together to establish a collective interpretation, share knowledge, and ensure compliance with AI regulations. We look forward to the inaugural virtual meeting of RAIL on February 24 2026, the first of four planned for 2026, including one in-person meeting in November."

RAIL Chair and Diotima Commercial Lead Jonathan Dempsey said:

"Everyone involved in schools, highe...

Annual venture capital funding into Irish tech SMEs fell for the first time last year since 2018, according to the Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA) VenturePulse report, published today in association with William Fry. Funding in 2025 was down by 23% to €1.1 billion. Funding in the fourth quarter fell by 46% to €291.4 million.

"It's been a roller coaster year for Irish SMEs looking to raise capital," commented Caroline Gaynor, chairperson, IVCA. She said that there had been an undoubted Trump effect after uncertainty caused by tariffs led to the worst second quarter for ten years.

"In addition, the fourth quarter saw a 71% retreat from the Irish market by international investors from €470m to €132.4m. This may be due to hesitation and uncertainty by US VC firms due to a number of factors, including an 'America first' focus, negativity from across the Atlantic about Europe, and the impact of a weakening dollar."

However, despite these headwinds, the IVCA chairperson said that she remained positive about Irish entrepreneurs looking to raise capital in 2026. "The Government's Seed and Venture Capital Scheme 2025-29 (1) has a record allocation of €250 million, and we should see the benefits kicking in shortly. In addition, progress is being made on the Government's important enterprise scaling fund (2) as well as other policy measures to mobilise capital to Irish SMEs."

She added: "Current geopolitical events have highlighted the need for us to be more self-reliant, have more access to local capital, and not be dependent on overseas investors to fund our indigenous tech sectors."

Sarah-Jane Larkin, director general, IVCA, said that the fourth quarter highlighted the weakness of not being able to tap into local private capital. "A major reason for the 46% decline in fourth quarter funding was the 71% fall off in international investment."

She added, "Another reason for the decrease in international funding may be that US investors may be overly focused on local AI opportunities, and certainly, the amount of money being invested there is sucking up a lot of venture capital. Unicorn status is being achieved by early-stage start-ups in generative AI in the US much quicker than in the past."

Ms Larkin said that the decline in overseas funding in 2025 is reflected in the 33% fall in larger deals in the €30m + category to €540.8m. In the fourth quarter, this category fell by more than two-thirds (69%) to €111m. Funding in the €10m–€30m range for the year overall also fell, by 14% to €269.4m.

The IVCA data suggests that transactions for smaller rounds held up reasonably well in 2025. Funding in the €3m-€5m category rose by 39% to €113.8m. There was a small decline (3%) in the €1-€3m range to €102.2m. Seed funding, or first rounds raised by SMEs, dropped by 5% to €141m.

The top five deals in quarter four were quantum computing company, Equal 1, which raised €30m; Shorla Oncology (speciality pharmaceuticals, €25m); Aerska (biotech, €17m); Fresco (smart kitchen platform, €15m) and Luminate Medical (healthcare technology, €14m).

Life science companies attracted most funding in 2025 in Ireland, raising €461m or 40% of the total. This was followed by software with €156m (14%); cybersecurity €136m (12%); AI and machine learning €104m (9%) and fintech €96m (8%).

186 deals were completed in 2025, down from 217 the previous year, a fall of 14%.

Kingspan has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Kingspan Kickstart Sports Fund (Kickstart), inviting athletes and sports organisations across Ireland to apply for financial support to help them progress in their sporting journeys.

Now entering its fourth year, Kickstart is open to individuals and organisations across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The fund is designed to assist in removing financial barriers at the grassroots level, supporting aspiring athletes and sports organisations nationwide.

Providing targeted funding from €1,000 per athlete and €2,500 per organisation, the fund supports essential costs such as equipment, training, travel, and other critical resources. Applications are welcomed from all communities and across all sporting disciplines. The Kingspan Kickstart committee assesses applications across two intake rounds between January and June 2026, with the first deadline approaching at the end of March.

Kickstart uses a thoughtful selection process that considers not only sporting results but also values, growth potential, and character. This approach enables the fund to back a wide and inclusive range of athletes and organisations, from local GAA clubs to para-athletes and endurance competitors.

"The biggest barrier to sporting success often isn't a lack of talent, it's a lack of opportunity. The Kingspan Kickstart Sports Fund exists to bridge that gap. We are incredibly proud to continue our support of grassroots sport across Ireland, backing athletes and organisations who possess the grit and determination to succeed, regardless of their discipline or background," said Richard Beswick, Global Partnerships and Sports Sponsorships Manager at Kingspan.

Beyond helping to cover practical costs, Kickstart offers recognition and encouragement at critical moments in an athlete's development.

Since its launch, Kingspan's Kickstart fund has awarded over €300,000 to successful candidates across Ireland. Recipients include Sligo surfer Gearóid McDaid, who won gold for Ireland at the European Surfing Championships in Santa Cruz, Portugal, last summer, and Megan Armitage, who represented Ireland in cycling at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games before turning her focus to triathlon. Kingspan plans to continue supporting both athletes as they progress in their sporting careers.

Other Kickstart-funded athletes include legendary handballer Paul Brady and rising GT racing driver Alex Denning, as well as teams including the all-women TC Racing Junior Ladies Cycling Team, supporting their participation in competitions both at home and abroad.

With a proud history of fostering sports development through partnerships such as RC Toulon, Uruguay Rugby, and Cavan GAA, Kingspan is committed to providing a platform for grassroots athletes, local sports clubs, and community facilities. Through Kickstart, Kingspan continues its support of grassroots sport, emerging talent, and impactful sporting initiatives that align with its values across Ireland.

Applications for the 2026 Kingspan Kickstart Sports Fund are now open. Full eligibility criteria and application details are available via the entry portal.

See more stories here.

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Azul, the only company 100% focused on Java, today announced the results of its 2026 State of Java Survey & Report. The annual study, based on responses from more than 2,000 Java professionals worldwide, reveals a dual trend shaping the enterprise landscape: a strategic pivot toward using Java as a foundational language for AI development, and an acceleration in the growing migration away from Oracle Java due to pricing and licensing concerns.

Java's Critical Role in the AI Era

While Java has long been the backbone of enterprise applications, the 2026 report highlights its growing significance in modern AI stacks thanks to its reliability, performance, security, and ability to run AI-enhanced services at scale. The 2026 State of Java Survey & Report shows that 62% of organisations now use Java to code AI functionality — up from 50% last year —reflecting a shift toward integrating machine learning models with existing Java applications. As enterprises move AI from experimentation to production, Java is becoming indispensable for scaling AI workloads.

In addition, 31% of respondents say more than half of the Java applications they build now contain AI functionality, supported by a mature ecosystem of Java-friendly AI libraries such as JavaML and Deep Java Library (DJL). The top capabilities survey participants say will be important for Java to remain competitive in an AI-enabled development landscape include long-term support for modern Java versions (35%), built-in security features (34%), observability insights (32%), support for large data access (30%), and integration with large language models(30%).

The Acceleration of Oracle Java Migration

Since Oracle introduced its employee-based pricing model in 2023, frustration across the Java community has only intensified. This year's State of Java Survey & Report reflects just how quickly concern is escalating: an overwhelming 92% of respondents report being concerned, while only 7% of respondents say they are "not at all concerned" about Oracle's pricing, nearly half the level recorded last year. Satisfaction in Oracle's Java licensing approach is eroding, prompting organisations to reassess whether maintaining Oracle Java aligns with their financial and operational strategies.

In response, enterprises are moving decisively. Eighty-one percent (81%) have migrated, are migrating, or plan to migrate at least part of their Oracle Java to a non-Oracle OpenJDK distribution, while a significant 63% intend to migrate their entire Java estate. Cost remains the number one driver (37%) for migrating away from Oracle. Additional reasons enterprises migrate include: a preference for open source (31%), uncertainty created by ongoing changes (29%) and Oracle Java audit risk (26%). Twenty-one percent of survey respondents have already been subjected to an Oracle Java audit.

Optimising Cloud Costs with a High-Performance Java Platform

As enterprises intensify their focus on cloud deployment efficiency, Java continues to play a central role in shaping their cost-optimisation strategies. Java's longstanding strengths – reliability at scale, mature performance tuning capabilities and ongoing advancements in start-up, warm-up, and runtime efficiency – make it one of the most productive and cost-effective development languages to operate in cloud environments.

The 2026 State of Java Survey & Report reveals that 97% of survey participants have taken actions to reduce their public cloud costs, and using a high-performance Java platform (41%) is one of the top five strategies they've implemented. By utilising faster, more efficient Java runtimes, businesses are able to process more transactions with fewer resources, translating to savings which directly impact their bottom line or help fund more strategic initiatives.

Despite clear momentum toward optimisation however, most enterprises still struggle with significant waste – 74% percent of organisations report more than 20% unused compute capacity in...

South East Technological University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with KIMO International at Ferrycarrig in Wexford.

Founded in Denmark in 1990, KIMO ('Kommunernes International Miljøorganisation' or 'Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation') is a network of local governments with over 75 member municipalities across nine countries. The organisation strives to promote healthy seas, clean beaches, and thriving coastal communities.

SETU and KIMO have come together to collaboratively address the challenges faced by our marine environment. Together, they will develop research initiatives to increase knowledge of the effects of environmental stresses and use educational programmes to increase awareness and understanding, and to explore measures to mitigate harmful effects.

Speaking about the collaboration, Captain Phil Murphy, SETU's Project Manager in Offshore Wind, said, "At SETU, we are delighted to partner with KIMO to provide research and academic support across the network of European Coastal Municipalities. We very much look forward to collaborating on a wide range of marine environmental issues."

"Our oceans regulate climate, absorb carbon, and support biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods, while coastal ecosystems protect shorelines and communities. Marine environments face growing threats including PFAS, plastic, and microfiber pollution, lost shipping containers and ocean acidification, all of which endanger ecosystems, coastal communities and the long-term health of our seas," Capt. Murphy outlined.

"SETU's partnership with KIMO enables us to bring together academic experts on the marine environment in support of our colleagues in Ireland and globally to improve the environmental quality of our oceans and coastal waters," he concluded.

Preben Friis-Hauge, President of KIMO International, said:

"KIMO is delighted to formalise this partnership with South East Technological University. Our member municipalities are on the front line of marine environmental challenges, and this collaboration will strengthen the vital link between local action and academic expertise.

As part of KIMO's new strategy, contributing to knowledge and evidence-generation on the causes and impacts of marine pollution is a key priority. This Memorandum of Understanding represents an important first step in mobilising shared research, education and advocacy to achieve healthier seas and more resilient coastal communities across Europe."

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Digital Infrastructure Ireland (DII) is pleased to announce its partner community for 2026, reflecting the continued expansion and diversification of Ireland's digital infrastructure ecosystem. This includes the addition of ten new partners: Analog Devices ,Arvato, Circet, Deco Engineering, EY, Matheson, nVent, Standard Control Systems, Trident Project Engineering, and Ventac.

Digital Infrastructure Ireland's partner base reflects the increasing maturity and global relevance of Ireland's digital infrastructure ecosystem. Today, the ecosystem plays a central role in designing, building, operating and supporting digital infrastructure projects not only domestically, but across Europe and around the world. Our partners span the full lifecycle of digital infrastructure delivery, including organisations involved in development, planning, design, engineering, construction, equipment, operations, sustainability, legal, finance, and specialist professional services.

"The strength of Digital Infrastructure Ireland lies in the breadth, diversity and quality of our partners," said Michelle Wallace, interim CEO of Digital Infrastructure Ireland. "Our 2026 partner community represents world-class capability across the full lifecycle of digital infrastructure, both in Ireland and from Ireland. That depth of expertise strengthens our ability to engage credibly with policymakers, to advocate effectively for the sector, and to support the Irish ecosystem's continued leadership in global digital infrastructure."

Over the past year, Digital Infrastructure Ireland has evolved significantly. The organisation formally transitioned to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) to align the legal structure to operate with greater transparency, stronger governance, and broader stakeholder involvement. With this partner-led focus, DII is strengthening its role as a trusted partner in national dialogue and an increasingly influential voice in policy discussions impacting the sector. Its engagement with Government, regulators and key stakeholders has contributed to both announced and emerging policy decisions that will shape Ireland's competitiveness as a location for digital infrastructure investment and innovation.

DII will continue to expand its activities throughout 2026, including deepening policy engagement, growing partner storytelling and visibility, delivering industry events and launching new platforms for collaboration across the ecosystem.

Rolling applications open

Organisations interested in joining Digital Infrastructure Ireland can apply on a rolling basis. To learn more about becoming a partner and contributing to the collective voice of the industry, please contact DII's Head of Partnerships & Community, Stephen Cogan, at stephen@digitalinfrastructure.

ie

About Digital Infrastructure Ireland

Digital Infrastructure Ireland (DII) is the collective voice of Ireland's digital infrastructure ecosystem. DII brings together a partner-led community of organisations with world-class expertise across every stage of the digital infrastructure lifecycle, from design and construction to operation and maintenance.

Through collaboration and a shared spirit of "co-opetition", DII strengthens Ireland's position as a trusted partner for designing, building and supplying digital infrastructure across Europe and beyond.

For more than a decade, Digital Infrastructure Ireland has delivered impactful change for the industry through advocacy, policy influence, education, research, and community building. The initiative is dedicated to driving the growth and success of the digital infrastructure ecosystem both in and from Ireland.

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Leading international law firm, Addleshaw Goddard, launched its Investors in Energy: Ireland Report at its Ireland's Energy Market Outlook event at the Westbury, bringing together key decision-makers to explore trends and investment opportunities across the Irish energy sector.

The event was attended by Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley, T.D., alongside more than 100 senior representatives from across the industry, who examined the critical need for deeper stakeholder collaboration to unlock Ireland's renewable energy potential.

The report examines how Ireland can build on its strong renewable momentum while tackling the practical challenges that shape the pace of new infrastructure delivery. Drawing on insights from across the energy sector, it explores the balance between strong renewable growth, rising electricity demand, and the power system's capacity to absorb this and deliver in light of recent, significant investment decisions.

Acceleration of Solar

The report highlights that Ireland's renewable energy transition has shown signs of acceleration in recent years, particularly in solar, which has expanded from almost zero capacity to in excess of 2GW in under four years. Strong policy ambition and sustained investor appetite continue to support this growth.

However, it finds that delivery capacity, not ambition, is now the defining constraint. Grid limitations, planning challenges, and long lead times for major infrastructure projects are slowing the pace at which renewable projects can move from the development stage to operation. Offshore wind is currently hindered by planning challenges, with the first phase of offshore wind projects only likely to be delivered post 2030.

Speaking at the launch event, Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley, T.D., said:

"Ireland has made significant strides in scaling renewable energy, particularly in onshore wind and solar. The next phase of our energy transition will hinge on ensuring that infrastructure delivery, planning processes and regulatory systems keep pace with the supportive policy and the investment environment we've put in place for renewables in Ireland. At Government level, we are addressing these challenges through the introduction of the Critical Infrastructure Bill and Emergency Powers Bill, both currently being progressed, in order to support and accelerate sustained growth in the years ahead."

Sustaining the Energy Transition

Despite these constraints, the report identifies a broad and investable pipeline of opportunities across the Irish energy market. Rapid solar deployment continues to attract strong levels of capital, while emerging opportunities in battery storage, grid stability services, biomethane, and private power solutions are gaining momentum. Rising electricity demand is reshaping how energy is generated, stored, and supplied, accelerating interest in flexible delivery models such as behind-the-meter generation and future private wire connections.

Launching the report, Gavin Blake, Partner, Head of Energy & Infrastructure at Addleshaw Goddard Ireland, said:

"Ireland's opportunity is shaped not by demand or capital, but by how effectively delivery is coordinated across the system. Grid capacity, planning complexity and infrastructure sequencing are now the critical factors determining how quickly projects can be built and brought online. The positive story is that Ireland has already proven it can scale renewables at pace. The next phase is about making that growth dependable and aligned with rising demand through greater stakeholder coordination."

Immediate Focus

The report concludes that closer coordination between the Government, regulators, and industry will be critical to sustaining progress. Aligning infrastructure investment with demand growth, rather than forcing outcomes against system limits, will be essential to maintaining investor conf...

Digital bank Monzo has released its inaugural edition of 'The Monzo Money Pulse', a research-led series exploring how Ireland feels about their money – this time delving into savings.

The research commissioned by Monzo and conducted by Censuswide surveyed 1,000 Irish adults, revealing a clear 'Savings Gap' between people's financial ambitions and the reality of how their money actually works for them.

Monzo found that almost two-thirds (65%) of Irish adults are determined to save more in 2026, yet just over a third of those with savings (34%) currently earn zero interest. However, if instant access interest-earning accounts were available to Irish adults, they would set aside an additional €40.80 per month, or €486 a year, per person. Scaled nationally, this would unlock €1.5 billion in additional savings each year that they could earn interest on.

Elaine Deehan, Country Manager for Ireland at Monzo: "We know from our first customers in Ireland that saving can be a headache – whether it's wrestling with minimum deposits or feeling like your money is locked away. The Monzo Money Pulse shows a huge appetite for something better. We're excited to bring a way to earn interest while remaining totally in control and access the money whenever you need – all that with no maintenance fee or withdrawal charges."

Key findings:

Priority: Half (50%) of the respondents say they are focused on long-term savings, with a further quarter (26%) aiming for shorter-term savings goals. At the same time, 39% admit they have no money left to save at the end of each month, suggesting that even those with the best intentions are finding it difficult to get ahead.

Lack of support: Fewer than half (45%) of respondents feel their bank supports them well in reaching their savings goals, and one in three (33%) say tools to help set and track savings goals would most improve their banking experience.

Missing out: A third (34%) of those who save earn no interest at all, while 11% do not know whether their money is earning interest.

Information barrier: Almost a fifth (19%) of those not earning interest on their savings say they do not understand options available to them, while 17% are worried about risk, and many describe saving as "too complicated" (16%).

More flexibility needed: Instant access to cash is the number one barrier to earning interest, with 35% of respondents not earning interest on their savings saying they prefer to keep their money in an instant-access account rather than locking it up in a savings account, even if it means missing out on interest.

Monzo's offer for a better way to earn interest

As a fully licensed Irish bank new to the market, Monzo aims to make saving simpler and more rewarding – no fees, minimum deposit of €1 and accessible at any time.

In the coming months, Irish customers will be able to open a free Monzo instant-access savings account in Ireland and earn a 1.6% Annual Equivalent Rate (AER) – around twelve times the average Irish rate on overnight deposits.

All of this sits within an easy-to-use app, where Monzo's personal, joint, business, children's and instant-access savings accounts are all managed together, giving customers a clear, real-time overview of their money.

Individuals and businesses can register at www.monzo.com/ie to join Monzo's waitlist for early access. The Monzo team will work closely with its first customers in Ireland to test and shape its initial products, delivering a banking experience that better reflects what Irish customers deserve.

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eir, Ireland's leading telecommunications provider, today published its Digital Ireland Report, a landmark nationwide study that shows Ireland has become one of the most digitally connected societies in Europe, powered by record investment in fibre and 5G, and an unprecedented surge in data usage.

The report tracks Ireland's progress through the first half of the Digital Decade (2019–2025) and finds that demand for connectivity has grown dramatically as digital services become central to daily life, work and business.

Overall traffic on eir's broadband network has more than doubled since 2019, driven by the rollout of 1GB fibre and explosive growth in data-hungry apps and services. Average household usage on high-speed fibre has risen by 61% in five years, from the equivalent of 6.2 hours to almost 10 hours of HD video per day, while data carried on eir's mobile network has grown sevenfold over the same period.

Highlights of the report include:

— Consumer use: Major social and sporting events have become powerful barometers of Ireland's 'always-on' digital habits (for example, data usage at Electric Picnic on eir's mobile network has grown sixfold since 2022). In parallel, traditional fixed-line calling has continued to decline, with minutes falling by 57% since late 2021, even as mobile voice use remains broadly stable.

— Regional: Counties such as Cavan, Meath and Offaly are leading a nationwide surge in data consumption, with average monthly usage up nearly 80% since 2019.

Top and bottom counties for household data usage (2024):

Highest: Kildare – 7,800 GB per household

Lowest: Sligo – 5,800 GB per household

— Online: The report also confirms Ireland's position as a European leader in digital skills and online participation: more than seven in ten people now have basic or better digital skills. Ecommerce continues at pace – almost all internet users shopped online in 2024.

— Business: There is a growing digital divide in enterprises, with a slowing in digital intensification amongst SMEs, and evidence pointing to a low rate of take-up amongst smaller businesses in high-speed data capability.

— Older people: Older customers are less likely to have availed of high-speed broadband service and are twice as likely to rely on older and slower copper lines compared with younger customers.

— Future needs: The report highlights the expectation that the data traffic volumes will continue to grow at a high rate for the remainder of the decade, driven by AI transformation, the Internet of Things, and other digital megatrends.

The report emphasises the need for digital and related policies to evolve at both an EU and national level to keep pace with the digital transformation and promote the ongoing investment and take-up of digital technology and infrastructure.

Oliver Loomes, CEO of eir, said: "At eir, our purpose is to connect for a better Ireland. The findings of our Digital Ireland Report show that, thanks to sustained investment and collaboration, Ireland has undergone a remarkable transformation in digital infrastructure and usage.

This report shows that Ireland's Digital Decade is real and measurable – in the way we work, learn, do business and come together at our favourite festivals and matches. Data use has exploded, powered by our investment in fibre and 5G, and Ireland now has the opportunity to be one of the most connected, competitive and inclusive digital societies in the world."

He added: "Connectivity also has to mean inclusion; more work is needed in the coming years to ensure all people and businesses can participate in Ireland's Digital Decade. As Ireland's leading connectivity provider, eir is committed to continuing our multibillion-euro investment in fibre and 5G, and to working with Government and partners so that every home, every business and every community can thrive in a truly digital Ireland".

Speaking at the launch of the report, Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Se...