Experts from Trinity College in Dublin and Google have called for changes to be made to the education system to increase the number of people with digital skills.
The call comes as a survey found that up to two-thirds of schools do not have enough of the technology necessary to have an impact on their students' education.
The report recommends investment and structural changes in schools, including the introduction of computer science as a Leaving Cert subject and increased teacher training.
Two years ago Google pledged €1.5m to a new programme run by Trinity College Dublin, which trains teachers to teach computer science and related topics through collaborative learning.
With one year complete, Trinity academics surveyed 400 teachers and 800 students who participated in the project.
They found the learning of computer science, as well as subjects such as science, technology, engineering and maths, is being hampered due to a lack of resources.
60% of schools had little access to the technology needed to make an impact, with some schools saying they had no wifi or internet access.
Teachers also said class times were too short for necessary collaborative work and that there was too much pressure to teach towards tests.
The report recommends investment and structural changes in schools, including the introduction of computer science as a Leaving Cert subject and increased teacher training.
A spokesperson for new Minister for Education Richard Bruton said Mr Bruton is convinced of the crucial importance of digital skills in the education system and the new programme for government includes measures to that effect, including a coding course at Junior Cycle and computer science as a Leaving Cert subject.
Commenting on the findings, Professor Brendan Tangney of Trinity College said teachers need comprehensive resources, whole school supports, training and technology available in the classrooms in order to effect change in the classroom.
While Google's Managing Director of Small and Medium Sized Business Sales in EMEA, Fionnuala Meehan, said computer science must be introduced as a fundamental and rigorous subject throughout the entire school curriculum, starting in primary school.
The study also found that teachers who took part in the programme, called TA21, became more confident about teaching computer science and STEM subjects.
It found two thirds brought new computer science content into their teaching.
Students who participated also appeared to benefit, with the number of those who stated they intended to do a degree when they finished school rising by 12%.
Students also reported a more positive school experience and relationship with their teachers.
