Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 6 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that I am currently finalising a new digital strategy for the civil and public service. The strategy will address the digitalisation of public services theme in the national digital strategy, which the Government intends to publish later this month. The strategy acknowledges the contribution of digitalisation to transform public services and builds on progress made to date under previous strategies. It also recognises the potential of digital as a core part of the recovery and broader socioeconomic development over the next number of years. The new strategy will focus on accelerating the move to a more digital public service for Ireland. It will take an all-of-government approach and build on the successes to date, in particular, those over the past two years. The strategy will consider the digital experience of individuals and businesses when using Government digital services.

I recognise that no one should need to know about every Government service such as all those relating to registering a birth or death, or a business. To that end, I will make it a priority that services are simplified, thereby taking a digital-first approach. This may include using digital to break through organisational boundaries in order that we can deliver better outcomes for individuals and businesses.

As the Deputy will be aware, my ambition for a digital first Civil Service that delivers globally recognised digital services is set out in the strategy, Civil Service Renewal 2030. Providing digital services that are accessible, integrated and customer-driven is key to achieving this ambition, as is working to foster public trust in the safety, transparency and value of digital solutions. The strategy will also reflect the EU’s digital decade and the ambition of a European Green Deal in areas such as the use of environmentally friendly technologies and boosting the efficient use of resources by moving to a clean circular economy. I look forward to publishing the new digital and ICT strategy for the Civil Service and public service in the coming weeks.

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