DEVELOPMENT OF THE INFORMATION SOCIETY AND INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

The relevance of the study is due to the transition to the information society and the active development of information and communication technologies (ICT), which have a significant impact on various spheres of life. The study found that Ireland is a model for the development of the information society. This country has made significant progress in the field of information and communication technologies and can serve as an example for other countries, such as Ukraine, that are seeking digital transformation. It is shown that over the past fifty years, the Republic of Ireland has significantly developed its electronics industry, which has contributed to job creation and economic growth. An important role in this process has been played by the Information Society Steering Committee, which develops strategies and initiatives to maximise the benefits of ICT. As of 2024, the digital economy of the Republic of Ireland is estimated at 13% of GDP, which corresponds to 50 billion dollars. More than a thousand digital companies are active in the country, including such giants as Apple and Google. The stable growth of the ICT market demonstrates the importance of digital solutions for the economic development of the Republic of Ireland. It is argued that the national projects of the Republic of Ireland are aimed at digital transformation in line with the EU’s goals by 2030. The introduction of the Internet of Things technologies and the concept of smart cities are actively developing in various sectors, such as healthcare and transport. However, there are problems with control over information processing in Ireland, which require improvement of the legislative framework and allocation of additional resources to address them. The Republic of Ireland is actively working on the digitalisation of public services and the introduction of open data, which increases the transparency of governance. The digitalisation strategy includes the creation of online platforms and the development of digital skills among the population. Despite successes, such as the high level of digital skills, the Republic of Ireland continues to strive to improve the infrastructure and accessibility of electronic health records as part of a broader digital transformation strategy. It has been proven that the contribution of information technology to the economic growth of the Republic of Ireland has been a major factor in its transformation into the “Celtic Tiger” of Europe, thanks to the strategy of attracting foreign investment in high-tech sectors. The development of information and communication technologies in the Republic of Ireland is supported by public investment, a developed telecommunications infrastructure and low prices for services, which increases its competitiveness in the global market. EU membership also helps to attract investment, but Ireland faces challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers and dependence on multinationals, which limits the universality of its experience for other countries.