Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - E-government Initiatives.

David Stanton

Question:

1637 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the Government's plans for the implementation of the e-broker initiative; the timetable in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17131/02]

David Stanton

Question:

1638 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the date by which it is expected that all Government services will be on-line; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17132/02]

David Stanton

Question:

1639 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the resources available to the REACH team; if she has satisfied herself that REACH has adequate resources to fulfil its mandate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17139/02]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1637 to 1639, inclusive, together.

The development of e-government is central to the development in Ireland of an information society. Taking full advantage of the opportunities presented by new technologies will lead not only to improved services delivery and internal efficiencies but will also serve as a key stimulus to wider engagement with the business community and the general public.

In May 2000 the Government agreed on the public services broker as the model for the integrated delivery of public services across multiple channels and accessible through a single point of contact. The REACH agency was established in 1999 to implement e-government. It is responsible for the development and deployment of the public services broker to public sector agencies. Government is committed to having all public services that are capable of electronic delivery available on-line through a single point of contact by 2005.

REACH is currently conducting a procurement exercise which hopefully will lead to the appointment of a company that will build the public services broker. The current timetable for the project envisages the placement of a contract by the end of this year and the completion of the first phase of the broker by June 2003.

Simultaneously, REACH is pursuing the other objective set out in its mandate and mission statement, namely, the improvement of the quality of service to personal and business customers of Government. This objective requires the development and promulgation of standards in the area of interoperability, security and unique public services identities of both business and private customers of public services.

Resource requirements for REACH are kept under review in the light of the growth of work in this area.