The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr Brendan Howlin T.D., published on 12 April 2012 the government’s new approach to eGovernment, entitled ‘Supporting Public Service Reform - eGovernment 2012-2015’.

Speaking on the publication, the Minister stated “The Government recognises the need for public services to be delivered faster, better and more efficiently to citizens and businesses. Intelligent, targeted use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and eGovernment are key enablers for these improvements. The new strategy places citizens and businesses at the centre of eGovernment”.

He added that “This strategy challenges Public Bodies to build on successes to date and to continue developing new services that meet the needs of citizens and businesses. It contains implementation and governance requirements that have been approved by Government and must be adhered to by Public Bodies”.

The Minister noted that the strategy is closely aligned with the Public Service Reform Plan and progress is already being made. “A Public Service Chief Information Officer Council has already been established, chaired by my Department, to progress key ICT and eGovernment issues.  In addition, my Department has established a Data Sharing Clearing House to advance data sharing across the public service”. 

The document 'Supporting Public Service Reform - eGovernment 2012-2015' is the first of a series of documents to be developed by the Centre for Management and Organisation Development of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, working with the Public Service Chief Information Officer Council.

eGovernment 2012-2015 identifies a number of priority action areas for Public Bodies which are intended to:

• enhance public service delivery;
• ensure that citizens and businesses have ease of access to a range of services through multiple channels;
• improve data sharing across Public Service organisations; and,
• develop a more integrated approach.

The five key principles of eGovernment 2012-2015 are:

1. The needs of citizens and businesses are at the centre of eGovernment.
2. Public services should be delivered through the most appropriate channels.
3. eGovernment should reduce the administrative burden for citizens and businesses.
4. eGovernment projects should reflect Business Process Improvements, delivering demonstrable efficiency, effectiveness and Value for Money gains.
5. Public Bodies should work to ensure that the online channel is the most attractive option for customers.

Possible topics to be covered in further documents include cloud computing, the use of data centres, sharing of common ICT services, open data, and social networking.

The strategy is available online here or by sending an email request at: egovstrategy.gov.ie.

Further information:

• Original News Article - Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
• Related ePractice publication - IE: eGovernment Strategy 2012-2015
• Public Service Reform Plan of 17 November 2011
• Background information - ePractice eGovernment Factsheet for Ireland