My Department has a substantial presence on the Government Internet site. There is a wealth of information about the policies and operations of the Department available at this site. A full contact list is provided, including e-mail addresses. It is, therefore, both possible and easy for any member of the public to directly e-mail the officer who is responsible for the particular issue in which he or she is interested. It is also easy to make freedom of information requests through the e-mail facility at the site.
Staff familiarisation and training in the use of information technology is an integral part of the significant training initiative which has been under way in my Department since the commencement of the SMI process. In addition, staff members from time to time pursue IT related courses under the scheme for refund of third level fees. I have no plans to grant aid education of third parties in the use of information technology in their day-to-day dealing with my Department.
Other strategic developments with regard to electronic commerce and electronic government are matters which are being dealt with by the Department of the Taoiseach through the information society implementation group of assistant secretaries.
