Results 41-60 of 1,415 for speaker:Tom Kitt

e-Government Services: Motion (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: acknowledges that technology is a potent tool to be used in almost any field of activity, providing opportunities for innovation and performance improvement; accepts that because technology is changing rapidly, increased functionality will continue to create possibilities for innovation, many of...

Business of Dáil (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders: (1) The Dáil will sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and that the business shall be interrupted on the adjournment of Private Members' business, which shall be No. 35, which shall be taken for 90 minutes at 7 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 10 whichever is the later. (2) The proceedings on the Committee and Remaining Stages of No. 16...

Business of Dáil (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: Hear, hear.

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: No. The Minister in each Department is in charge. I mentioned the successes of on-line revenue, motor taxation and savings in agriculture. The Ministers in those different Departments have provided the leadership and with their officials have been coming up with fantastic results. The Department of the Taoiseach is co-ordinating the work and ensuring we get good value for money. The OECD...

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: At that particular time, the commission had a sizeable budget, as the Deputy is aware. It had to use the funding to initiate many of the very good proposals that have now been realised. We have moved on. Technology moves on. There are so many new ways of dealing with issues with modern technology. That was an idea of its time which is, quite frankly, spent. We are now moving to a new...

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: The broker has not been abandoned. Some components are well-established and are used by many people. However, there have been concerns about the ongoing running cost of the broker and the Department of Finance is looking at this with a view to making it more cost effective. It is important for people to recognise that technology is changing at all times in terms of cost and functionality...

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I want to see it dealt with in the context of the new action plan. We have been leapfrogged by some member states. We need a centralised identity registration system. It is part and parcel of any work we do. Indeed, Deputy Coveney's motion refers to this point. The Government is very seriously engaged with the issue of a centralised identity registration system which is common throughout...

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I know; I need a glass of water.

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: Good public servants within Departments have shown leadership on this issue. I made that point at the outset. To expand on some of the examples I gave, huge savings have been made in systems in the Revenue Commissioners, the motor taxation section and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food because of the ingenuity and leadership of people within the system. That must be...

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: The introduction of e-forms in the Local Government Computer Services Board will result in savings of €9 million. The system in the civil registration department of the Department of Social and Family Affairs will result in savings of €7.6 million and the jobs Ireland database of FÁS will result in savings of €1.9 million.

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: Naturally, the Opposition Members will concentrate on areas that did not work out. If systems are not working out, it is prudent to decide not to proceed with them.

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: In Government, as in business, one has to take some risks and we should encourage people who are intelligently examining the options. Given that technology is such a changing and moving target, there will be some element of risk but let us commend and acknowledge the good work that has been done. I could go on about the good examples that exist. There are good performers in the public...

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I refer to the comments of Deputies McManus and Coveney. I acknowledged earlier that lessons will be learned from the Comptroller and Auditor General's report, which covered the period up to 2005, and the OECD report. We want to get this right and what the two reports said is very important with regard to the action plan. My Department will produce the new action plan and it is hoped it...

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. The special report on e-Government, prepared by the Comptroller and Auditor General, focused on a number of specific areas including strategies, costs and projects. The report acknowledges that there have been many successful projects which, when compared with other countries, points to Ireland being exceptional in the high level...

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: There will be an opportunity. I have eight questions to answer and I am doing my best.

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: Deputy Coveney need not worry.

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I am looking forward to it.

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: Discounted rates achieved through the GVPN contract ensured the public service received maximum value for money and substantial savings in the order of €25 million per annum in its voice and data telecommunications expenditure. Savings such as the €18.41 million saved by Revenue in 2007 represent an ongoing annual value dividend from that investment in e-Government. Research by my...

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: There are many questions to be answered, but I thank the Deputy for acknowledging some of the work that has been done. The Comptroller and Auditor General stated at the Committee on Public Accounts that his report should not be seen as a criticism, but one which recognises the considerable success that has been achieved. Having said that, I accept that there is much work to be done. The...

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: Each Department and each Minister——