Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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99. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to report on the progress being made to digitalise public services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5332/24]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to say that great progress is being made across government to digitalise public services. I am delighted to report that this progress has been recognised nationally and internationally, most recently in the OECD’s 2023 Digital Government Index. Ireland is ranked amongst the top 10 international performers alongside countries such as Korea, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Canada.

In its Report on the State of the Digital Decade for 2023, the European Commission records that Ireland has already reached the Digital Decade 2030 target of 100% for digitalisation of public services for businesses and, has already reached 81% of the 2030 target for digitalisation of public services for citizens.

Our overarching national digital strategy, Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework, is aligned with the Digital Decade agenda and its challenging targets for 2030. It places a strong emphasis on inclusiveness, security and safety, underpinned by strong governance and a well-resourced regulatory framework.

While the progress to date is very positive, I acknowledge that we cannot sit back and that there are areas where broader improvements can be achieved in the delivery of public services, digital or otherwise. To that end, in 2023 my Department published Better Public Services – the Public Service Transformation 2030 Strategy, which sets out an approach for inclusive, high quality, and integrated Public Service provision that meets the needs, and improves the lives, of the people of Ireland. Consultation and communication with the public will also continue to be an important element of the Government’s digital public services programme.

While our focus on delivering public services is to take a “digital by default” approach, this does not mean “digital only”. I recognise that in an increasingly digital society, those who are unable to avail of digital opportunities for whatever reason, risk being excluded from society.

Consequently, in August last year, my Department published Digital for Good: Ireland's Digital Inclusion Roadmap, which sets out the range of initiatives contributing to improving digital inclusion through better skills, access and infrastructure.

Looking ahead - this year, my Department will increase focus on delivery of citizen facing digital services that make their lives better through joined up and efficient digital services under the “Life Events” programme. This programme will focus on assisting at scale the rollout of new digital government solutions in line with Harnessing Digital and the targets defined in the EU Digital Decade. In parallel, Better Public Services sets a clear direction of reform for the Public Service to 2030.